Versace is being acquired by Michael Kors. Will they be able to do what no company’s done before: Create a global American luxury accessories brand? Europe’s provided plenty over the years, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Prada are but a few. But nada in America. It seemed for a minute like Donna Karan was going to do it when LVMH bought them. Then they tried it with Marc Jacobs. I still like Marc Jacobs bags and purses.
Michael Kors proved the efficacy of how high exposure can help you sell merchandise. Everyone in fashion who experienced the joy of knowing Kors, even before he had MK fans aka Project Runway viewers, mobbing him at MK stores, recognized he had magic that should be bottled! Then Project Runway came along and helped him put “it” in front of millions of trendy fashion buyers every week. But even his blooming accessories business lost some petals. Now with Versace, the company which also owns Jimmy Choo and which will, according to reports, be known as Capri, has a chance to be the first.
The blond Milanese princess, Donatella Versace, creative director, deserves a trophy…Constance C.R. White
The blond Milanese princess, Donatella Versace, creative director, deserves a trophy for steering brand Versace since the murder of her older brother Gianni decades ago. Donatella is what you imagine an Italian reality TV star might be like: Rapper glamorous, dramatic, loaded with lire, yet approachable. She could be the company’s best secret weapon as it repositions itself and gets ready for world domination. I-have-money-and-I-want-you-to -know-it is back.
Come to think of it I could use a set of fine cotton chain-and -leopard-print sheets -fitted and flat. And then, a structured handbag of bullet-strong, superfine leather, with a gilded Medusa-head clasp.
