The last word you would associate with Donatella Versace is soft. The Italian designer is famous for her saturated colors, sexy lines, and lots of high-gloss surfaces. But a visit to her house in Milan reveals a whole new Donatella. She has just redecorated, and the palette is full of creamy shades. “I still love strong color,” she says, “but the point was to make a change. I wanted something a little more sensual, so the colors are really soft.”
But that’s soft with an Italian flair. There are still plenty of deep purples and reds in her 2009 fashion collections—and in her home. Her favorite piece of furniture? A high-tech titanium chaise that doubles as sculpture. Like everything she creates, it works because it is made of luxurious materials and ultimately references classical imagery. That’s the secret to her vision. And a similar principle applies at home. As she will tell you, the way to make people feel comfortable is “good music, good food, good company, and a beautifully set table.” And always, just a tiny drop of Barbarella outrageousness.
QUICK INFO ABOUT DONATELLA VERSACE
Donatella Versace (born 2 May 1955) is an Italian fashion designer and current Vice-President of the Versace Group, as well as chief designer. She owns 20 percent of the entire stock market assets of Versace. Her brother, Santo Versace, owns 30 percent. Donatella’s daughter Allegra Versace inherited 50% of the company stock after the death of Gianni Versace, Donatella’s brother and Versace’s founder.