Atelier Versace Autumn/Winter 2012-13

Breathtaking collection Donatella Versace kicked off the week of couture shows in Paris by presenting the Versace Atelier at the Ritz Hotel in Paris for the first time since her brother Gianni's death in 1997. This season’s Atelier Versace

collection is built upon the idea of deconstruction and reconstruction in all its various forms.
Inspired by the imagery and decoration of tarot cards, powerful symbols such as the sun, moon and the world are reproduced on weightless fabrics with a glass effect.

The elements of these tarot cards have been rendered and embroidered as though seen through the eyes of Pablo Picasso, giving them an abstract feel. To enhance this vision, double silk is printed and then layered with transparent plastic and sliced into thin strips to re-construct the patterns on the body. Little rose gold buckles hold these together as decoration.
Patches of silicone, pearl and crystal mesh, and the play of light are reflected by the subtle tones of colour that flow from one dress to the next. Techniques which include hand-cut leather in small hexagonal patterns and lacing made from silk chiffon are used to piece each patch together.

Roman numerals which give meaning to the tarot cards, point towards positivity as well as strength. The Stars, the Lovers and Good Fortune appear as three-dimensional embroideries on belts with metal studs and hand-cut pieces of plastic.
Baroque rings, crafted in gold and platinum are mounted with precious stones such as yellow diamonds, topazes and emeralds.