|
Versus: Posh Punks Rule at Versus
Written by: Godfrey Deeny
Photos by: Gruber-FWD
Milan, June 27, 2001/ FWD/ --- This Versus collection made it feel great to be back home. Back in my youth in
the Lower East Side of the early '80s, listening to The Ramones, hanging out in CBGB's, trucking home along the
Bowery in the wee hours.
For the spring-summer 2002 Versus collection shown Wednesday in Milan, Donatella Versace found her inspiration in
the halcyon days of punk, though hers of course was a suitably posh and polished version.
Back then, we bought our clothes in vintage stores like Trash & Vaudeville and never dreamed we'd be wearing designer
clothes. But few of those stitches had the panache of this Versus collection and its fresh spin on punk with slick
fabrics, mixed metaphors and punchy detailing.
As Joey Ramone belted out "I Wanna Be Sedated," Donatella sent out tight little schoolboy blazers with piping,
baseball T-shirts and great zippered black Clash jackets.
But the punk moment was radically updated with some clever pants with long front zips so the wearer could choose
his own size of flare. The collection had a neat dose of humor, with a funky web pattern appearing on everything
from tight tops to brothel creepers, and a roaring lion used on the invitation appearing on shirts and baseball
jackets.
Admittedly, nobody back then wore anything resembling the rose patent leather rocker jackets in the show's finale.
Then again, this is Versace, where a little too much is always appreciated.
|
