MILAN, Jan 16, 2006/ FW/ --- Donatella Versace is on a roll! Versace Collection, the diffusion line for the House of Medusa that was presented tonight at Club Room Eleven is full of Versace spirit proposing a refreshed silhouette of the Versace classic looks.

Full of refined details, a sleek & contemporary look that can only be described as sexy masculinity; the Versace Collection is aimed at a wider audience and will be available in specialty boutiques and department stores during in Fall 2006.

‘This is part of the new strategy of Versace,’ says Fabio Greggio, Commercial Director for Versace Collection.

Explaining the stratagem on paper, Greggio drew a pyramid with Gianni Versace Classic on top, followed by Versace Collection and then at the base of the pyramid, Versace Sport.

‘Gianni Versace Classic’ will always be sold in Versace boutiques worldwide and will remain high street fashion,’ Greggio told FW. ‘Versace Collection on the other hand will only be available in specialty department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and other selected retailers.’

Created in collaboration with Ermenegildo Zegna, Versace Collection is aimed for Gen X and young baby boomers with its single-breasted suits comprised of fitted jackets and peak lapels with either one or two buttons.

Trousers have soft flat fronts cut low at the waist and shirts with prominent collars. Polo neck pullovers and short overcoats in cashmere or trench coats in washed nappa in asphalt gray make Versace luxury reachable to a wider audience without sacrificing quality, cut, tailoring and everything that made the House of Medusa famous.

This new approach by Versace is a sign that the company is evolving. Founded in 1978 by the late Gianni Versace, wherein the first menswear collection was presented in 1979, the brand is already 25 years old.

Versace is ‘growing up’ with its original client base, making sure that it still caters to them while keeping the spirit of the house, not forgetting its roots and meeting new devotees with the Gianni Versace Classic, yet showing its support to the active baby boomers who has reached middle age, but not their youthful enthusiasm with the newly launched Versace Collection.

Baby boomers have declared, ‘Fifty is the new 35,’ as they remain active and in touch with the world. The Gianni Versace Collection’s sleek and contemporary look is perfect for them and the thirty-something Gen X.

The best part about it, twenty-something Gen Y, will also love this new silhouette from Versace!

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Versace

Versace