As Donatella Versace, Creative Director of the Group, said, “Jonathan represents everything that is great about this Versace men’s collection. He has all of the trademark elements of Versace style – sensuality, individuality, mystery and glamour but he also underlines what is new about the Versace man next season,”

“This is a man who is strong and masculine but at the same time more in tune with his feelings and not afraid to show them; this is a man who is sensual rather than overtly sexy. I believe that Jonathan serves as an inspiration to the men of today and of course he looks fantastic in the collection,” Donatella added.

Rhys Meyers who began his career as a model in an ad for Knorr soup in 1994 also made his movie debut during the same year in a very small role in the film ‘A Man of No Importance.’

He shot to world fame when he played Elvis Presley in the CBS 4 hour mini-series Elvis (2005), which earned him an Emmy nomination and a Golden Globe win. Rhys Meyers is currently filming ‘The Tudors,’ a Showtime mini-series about England’s Henry VIII, where he will be playing the lead role and will be seen next in ‘August Rush’ where he co-stars with Keri Russell and Robin Williams.

In choosing Jonathan Rhys Meyers as the face of the Autumn 2006/ Winter 2007 Versace advertising campaign, the Versace Group stated, ‘Strong, sophisticated, intriguing, Jonathan Rhys Meyers is in keeping with today’s times and with the soft mood of luxury in Versace.’

The campaign, which will break worldwide this September in select fashion and lifestyle magazines, was photographed by Mario Testino in a New York Studio last April. Rhys Meyers follows the footsteps of Madonna, Demi Moore and Halle Berry as ambassadors of the brand.

About his newfound role, Jonathan Rhys Meyers said, “Working with Versace was an incredibly enjoyable experience. The clothes they have created over the years have always been regarded as the sexiest in the industry and both Donatella and Mario worked incredibly well together to bring a new image to this campaign.”

“The clothes were simply beautiful and the process was so easy and encouraging it hardly felt like work at all. I am very honoured to be associated with such a prestigious house and having had the opportunity to work with such extraordinary people as Donatella Versace and Mario Testino made me realize how rewarding and exciting working in the fashion industry can be,” Rhys Meyers added.

For more information about the Versace Menswear Collection, plaease log on: www.versace.com