The late 1980s witnessed the explosive arrival of baroque’s fashion renaissance, largely thanks to Gianni Versace. From his Milan-based fashion house, Versace transformed traditional Italian artistic motifs into vibrant pop art. He boldly replaced the typical cherubs and angels of Italian frescoes with striking gold chains, the iconic Medusa head, and fierce leopard prints, all emblazoned on shimmering silk. This Versace moment was characterized by its larger-than-life scale and unapologetic boldness, perfectly embodied by the supermodels of the time like Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, and Linda Evangelista, who became synonymous with these vibrant prints.
The allure of the Versace lifestyle extended beyond the runways and into the realm of hip-hop royalty. Mega-stars like Notorious B.I.G. and Lil’ Kim championed the fashion house, particularly in New York’s burgeoning hip-hop scene. Lil’ Kim famously sported a Versace print wig for a promotional appearance, while Biggie was rarely seen without his Medusa-emblem sunglasses. Their lyrics further cemented the brand’s iconic status, with Biggie rapping about “Versace shade watchin ya” and Lil’ Kim boasting about her exclusive access to Versace’s designs.
The trend’s re-emergence began to gain momentum in the preceding years. Vintage stores, like Vagabond NYC, started noticing a high demand for authentic, old-school Versace silk shirts, signaling a renewed interest in the brand’s classic prints.
This revival continued to gain traction, influencing contemporary designers. London-based design duo Swash, known for their playful and artistic approach, dedicated an entire collection of scarves and dresses to modern interpretations of the baroque print. Their work demonstrated how Versace’s iconic style could be reimagined for a new generation while retaining its inherent boldness.
Further solidifying the trend’s widespread appeal, even houses like Givenchy incorporated Versace-esque silk prints into their collections. Ricardo Tisci’s interpretation sparked considerable excitement within the fashion community, highlighting the pervasive influence of this revived aesthetic.
Donatella Versace herself has played a crucial role in this renaissance. Over recent seasons, she has strategically revisited the brand’s rich heritage, presenting refined and updated takes on classic Versace designs on the Milan runways. This careful curation of the brand’s legacy has paved the way for the current resurgence.
The Versace collaboration with H&M served as a definitive statement, emphatically declaring fall 2012 as the quintessential Versace moment. This collection distilled the essence of Versace down to its most recognizable and core elements, making its iconic prints accessible to a wider audience and firmly re-establishing Versace print as a dominant force in contemporary fashion.
