Everyone is going nutso over the H&M and Versace collaboration that launches on Saturday, myself included. Although I probably won't be lucky enough to get my hands on one of the sexy pieces, just the possibility of getting something Versace for a relatively inexpensive price is pretty thrilling.
I've always been a Versace fan. Even though the super sexy look that dominates the Versace brand goes in and out of vogue, I will never forsake the bombshell style that is the brand's signature.
I love love love that Donatella designed the collection based on iconic archival Versace pieces. The scarf prints, the bondage gear, and the metallics are all references to different Versace moments in time. In honor of this fabulous collaboration, let's take a look at some of Versace's greatest hits, shall we?
Gianni Versace in 1991 with Cindy Crawford, Carla Bruni, Nikki Taylor, Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Yasmeen Ghauri, Nadège du Bospertus, Helena Christensen, Linda Evangelista, and Nadja Auermann.
Gianni Versace has been credited for the supermodel madness in the nineties because he was the first designer to use all of the top models in his shows and ad campaigns.
Here is the full picture, in which you can also spot (from right) Beverly Peele, Susan Holmes, Stephanie Seymour, Tatjana Patiz, and Eva Herzigova.
Thanks commenters for helping me out with some of these models' names! I'm still stumped on the model in between Susan and Linda though. My best guess is Nadja, but I'm not sure. I've also heard Karen Mulder, but I'm not convinced by that either...
In a recent poll for the Guardian magazine, readers chose this as the 12th greatest red carpet gown of all time. This is such an iconic and glamorous image that sums up the best parts of the decade: glamour, supermodels, sex appeal, and Richard Gere.
Top: Vogue editorial, September 1991 starring (from left to right) Cindy Crawford, Tatjana Patitz, Helena Christensen, Linda Evangelista, Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Karen Mulder, Stephanie Seymour all in Gianni Versace. Photograph by Peter Lindbergh.
Ah... those were the days. When supermodels were required to be gorgeous and have the bodies to fill out biker babe clothes!
F/W 1992 Gianni Versace ads "Bondage" collection with Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Cambell. Photo by Irving Penn.
This collection is back in a big way. Lady Gaga wore pieces from this collection in her "Born this Way" video. Doutzen Kroes and Giovanna Battaglia have also been spotted in F/W 1992 pieces recently.
Atelier Versace Fall/Winter 1992 ads starring Naomi Campbell, Stephanie Seymour and Yasmeen Ghauri.
Warrior princesses! Love. Gaga has also recently been seen in the couture skirt pictured here on Ghauri.
F/W 1993 Gianni Versace.
Stephanie Seymour was WAY too hot for Axl Rose. I actually am not sure if this is from 1993, or a lot later. It looks like it fits into the ads I have found from 1993, but this picture is a bit different. Anyone know for sure?
Elizabeth Hurley with Hugh Grant at his Four Weddings and a Funeral movie premiere in 1994.
Voted the most iconic red carpet dress of all time, Hurley's safety pinned Versace dress grabbed the attention of the world's media and brought her more fame than dating Hugh Grant. Only a Versace dress could do that!
Have you ever seen bobby socks and turtleneck cable knits look sexier?
Vogue magazine took this shot after a Versace fashion show in 1995. How many supermodels can you name?
Versace generated a huge amount of publicity by hiring Madonna as the face of its ad campaigns in 1995. Celebrity models were almost nonexistent at this time, and Versace jumpstarted the trend, to tremendous success. Compare these ads to Madonna's ads in 2005 (below). Which ones do you like better?
I mean, seriously, who could forget this one?
Britney Spears wore a custom gown by Donatella Versace at the Versace Spring/Summer 2003 fashion show in Milan.
This pic is how I fondly remember Britney in the "good ole days." Overly made up, big hair, sequins, looking HOT.
In 2003, Donatella designed what was probably the most hyped dress of the year. Christina Aguilera wore it in the Versace ad campaign, Beyonce rocked it at the MTV movie awards and even Barbie wore a version of the coveted dress in gown form. Hell, I even remember Arden B. designing a knock-off.
Who wore it best? First of all, Christina Aguilera should never EVER be caught without makeup again. Shudder. Secondly, Barbie looks hot, but a blonde should never wear that shade of pink. I would know. I think I'm going to give this one to Beyonce.
Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex in the City finale episode, "An American Girl in Paris: Part Une" in 2004.
This Versace couture gown is one of my personal top contenders for best dress in the Sex in the City series. Reportedly it had a retail price of $79,000. A totally feasible price for a newspaper columnist, right?
Madonna posed for this campaign doing minute, everyday tasks like licking envelopes, sitting at the computer, and talking on the phone. Somehow still, this campaign was one of the most glamorous I've seen, and it made me want her life.
Versace is known for casting the most beautiful people in its ad campaigns. In 2006, Halle Berry was chosen as the face of the brand.
Gisele Bundchen at the 2008 Metropolitan Costume Institute Ball.
Gee Golly Gosh Gisele looked gorgeous in this dress. For real, that body is a sin. One of my personal favorite looks in Met history.
Spring/Summer 2008. Donatella cast Gisele for Versace's ad campaign.
The sexy Brazilian supermodel was a perfect fit for this body conscious Versace collection. So jealous of those legs!
Blake Lively at the 2009 Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute Ball.
Lively is another sexy star who can carry off Versace's bombshell dresses amazingly well. This blue green gown looked fantastic on her.
Spring/Summer 2009 ad campaign starring Kate Moss.
I loved this campaign. Metallic bodycon dresses, sun kissed skin, tousled hair, and the world's most notorious supermodel. Quintessential Versace.
Christina Aguilera in Versace at the 2010 Golden Globes.
I miss how Christina used to look - classy and polished, yet sexy. Now she just looks like a tacky tranny mess.
January Jones at the 2011 Golden Globes.
This dress caused some controversy at the Golden Globes, but I was in love with it. So fringey, so red hot, so Versace.
Lady Gaga, June 2011.
I'm not sure about the motive behind Gaga's summer obsession with vintage Versace, but I adored it. The pop diva devoted two months to only wearing archival pieces from the famed brand, including classic scarf prints and couture bondage pieces from Gianni Versace's heyday.
