Versace turns its Meander into a runway

The first few minutes of Versace’s Fall/Winter 2021 fashion show had me confused. The garments that introduced the collection were a triumph of maroon and beige combinations that are more easily associated with Burberry’s and Fendi’s style rather than Donatella’s Magna Graecia vibes. Initially, the usual summery and vibrant shades of the Italian brand were solely on the girls’ geometric and sharp eye make-up.

Despite the palette, the designer’s heritage was still recognizable on the dominating pattern of the show; Versace’s iconic Meander was not only the structure of the stage were the models paraded and interacted, but also the omnipresent decoration on every accessory, and even the motif of the fade cut of some models who looked like hardcore Versace fans. Only this time, La Greca was reformulated as an Escher maze.

As the show proceeded, hints of color started to appear gradually, exploding into a triad of red, purple and yellow monochromatic looks - a wonderful homage to Versace’s Fall collection of 1991 - before returning to darker hues. Black was the color that ended the show, dominating slinky and ethereal dresses. Irina Shayk looked like an absolute goddess wrapped in her chiffon black gown.

Among the accessories, there is one that stood out more than the others: the Bratz-like double platformed heels. So Versace.