Versus

The Fashion Statement: Italians Do It Better?

Milan is delivering the most exciting fashion weeks in years. Fashion critics have been giving rave reviews to Italian designers saying that, for the most part, the collections have been inspired.

One of the more subdued shows of the week, Giorgio Armani (pictured above), presented a spring/summer 2011 collection of entirely navy blue and black--not exactly the most spring/summery of colors. No matter, the fitted double breasted blazers, one-shouldered gowns and skirts over sheer leggings were stunning. Even more interesting: His models were turned out in turbans and veils.

Tags: aquilano.rimondi, chignon, dolce gabbana, etro, GorgioArmani, gucci, Milan fashion week, Missoni, prada, pucci, Versus

Continue reading “The Fashion Statement: Italians Do It Better?”

Will Versace's CEO Get The Boot?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

The news may be slow in the U.S. this weekend but things are heating up in Milan. Bloomberg reports that Gianni Versace SpA's board is meeting to discuss the fate of Chief Executive Officer Giancarlo di Risio. Seems that the CEO ran afoul of La Donatella in a battle over creative control. What's really interesting is that the fight is reportedly over several issues including the fact that he wanted to license a cheaper line designed by someone else.

Giancarlo di Risio first hit our radar in January this year when he said that Versace would not be marking down products in the economic downturn. But then in February Versace announced it was reviving its second line Versus. The bridge line was originally created by Gianni Versace in 1989 as a project for his sister Donatella. Versace signed a deal with Italian company Gruppo Facchini to create clothing and accessories lines for men and women for the new line planned for Spring/Summer 2010. For his part, di Risio wasn't happy that Donatella Versace continues to use long-time Versace photographer Mario Testino for the brand's ad campaign. Testino gets a cool $140,000 a day.

Versace has thrived under di Risio who worked with Donatella to create a more elegant version of Versace that appeals to the luxury consumer. But in the end it's still a family brand (Donatella owns 20 percent, her brother Santo has 30 percent and her daughter Allegra inherited Gianni Versace's stake of 50 percent). Di Risio, a serial CEO of Italian clothing companies will likely have no trouble finding a new gig.

Who might replace di Risio? The Telegraph says that one possible option is Kim Winser, who was behind the resurgence of Scottish brand Pringle and recently resigned from Aquascutum.

UPDATE: Versace has denied any friction between Donatella and Giancarlo di Risio and released their new three-year plan.

Source

Tags: donatella versace, DonatellaVersace, giancarlo di risio, GiancarloDiRisio, versace, versus

Versace To Relaunch Versus For Aspirational Consumers

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Back in January, Versace CEO Giancarlo Di Risio emphatically stated that Versace would not be dropping prices in response to economic pressure. It seems now that he has found another method of courting the consumer with less to spend. Versace is relaunching its second line Versus. The bridge line was originally created by Gianni Versace in 1989 as a project for his sister Donatella.

Versace has signed a deal with Italian company Gruppo Facchini to create clothing and accessories lines for men and women which will be ready for Spring/Summer 2010. A new company, VSV, will be created and Gruppo Facchini's Mathias Facchini will be chief executive. The company predicts turnover of more than 700 million euros in the first five years. The Versus line offers luxury that Di Risio told Reuters is more "aspirational, more accessible."

Versus will open 20 boutiques by 2011. Fashion Week Daily reports that a preview of the line is scheduled for March 1 in Milan.

Source

Tags: entertainment-awards, fashion, giancarlo di risio, GiancarloDiRisio, versace, versus

The 'Good versus Evil' Foosball Table

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Gadgets

It might say something significant about you, or your mood at least, depending what side you choose to play in this foosball game that takes "lights versus darks" to a whole new level. In Good versus Evil Foosball team players that have never met before get to battle it out for the win, some of the most interesting being (to me anyway) Mary Poppins and Christopher Robin on the good side versus Jack the Ripper and Hitler on the evil side, to name just a few.

I hope Mary and Chris have some tricks up their sleeves (or skirt) because as optimistic as I might be that "good always triumphs" I suspect they're about to get their butts kicked. Apparently when the team was recruiting we were short on tough good guy figures.

Source

Tags: christopher robin, ChristopherRobin, evil, foosball, game, games, good, mary poppins, MaryPoppins, versus, vs

Samsung Teams With Versace To Make Versus Phones

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

The latest fashion phone comes from Samsung which has teamed up with Versus, the younger-skewed Versace line to bring forth a new Versus E500 phone. The SGH-E500 is a clamshell mobile phone with a 1.3 megapixel camera, music player and Bluetooth. The phone goes on sale in Italy in August. The flashy luxe styling is exactly what we'd expect from a Versace branding but it doesn't exactly inspire gadget envy in me.

Source

Tags: cell phones, mobile phones, versace, versus