Versace Fall Winter 2025-2026 “The Ultimate Versace Superhero Moment”. Story by Eleonora de Gray, Editor-in-Chief of RUNWAY MAGAZINE. Photo / Video Courtesy: Versace.

The Versace Fall Winter 2025-2026 collection was more than just a runway spectacle—it was a battle cry, a reaffirmation of power, individuality, and the untouchable strength of the Versace DNA.

Miuccia Prada is reportedly in a position to buy Versace—but without Donatella. If the deal goes through, it would mark the end of an era, severing the brand from its iconic creative force. The question remains: can Versace exist without the woman who embodies its DNA?

With swirling speculation about a potential sale of the house, this show carried the weight of legacy, uncertainty, and perhaps, finality. Was this Donatella’s last bow? The thought alone was enough to electrify the atmosphere inside the Milan tram depot where the show took place.

Donatella Versace, never one to fade into the background, set the tone with an unapologetic manifesto:

“My Versace Superheroes. Our house codes are recognized all over the world and make us so strong. I love clothes to empower, to give strength and confidence. Everyone should have a little Versace attitude. With this collection, I am not following any rules. Only the rules of the Versace DNA.”

And follow them she did—religiously, rebelliously, and with the kind of conviction only she possesses.

Versace as a Statement of Strength

Versace has always been a house built on defiance. It thrives on rule-breaking, icon-making, and audacious glamour. This collection didn’t just whisper those values—it shouted them. From the opening look, a trio of sculptural coats crafted from Versace Home duvets (yes, really) in classic house motifs, it was clear Donatella was pulling inspiration from the past to pave the way for the future.

This was a collection powered by the aesthetic codes Gianni Versace built—the drama of offset shoulders from his 1997 haute couture show, the precision of his ballet costumes with cinched bodices and extravagant skirts. The signature V was omnipresent: cut into bustiers, emblazoned on breast pockets, and woven into chainmail skirts and silk slips. It was a masterclass in heritage, a reminder that nobody knows these codes better than Donatella.

Looking Back, Moving Forward

Versace’s nostalgia has never been about sentimentality; it’s about power. Since the 20th anniversary of Gianni’s death, Donatella has mastered the art of the re-edition—bringing the past into the present, elevating history into hype. This season, she dug deep into her own archives, resurrecting two extraordinary gowns from her very first solo collection, Fall 1998 couture. One in gold, one in silver, both dripping in unraveling metallic thread, they were show-stopping in the truest sense of the word. The gold one, in particular, looked Oscar-bound—a fitting symbol of Donatella’s own golden reign at Versace.

Versace for the Future

While nostalgia reigned, the future of fashion was present, too. Versace’s innovative 3D-printed pieces, first introduced last season, returned in even more extravagant forms, now adorned with oversized crystals. And in a nod to the next generation, rhinestone-embroidered jeans made a statement—Versace’s way of keeping its street credibility while embracing the inevitable TikTok-fueled denim renaissance.

For all its theatrics, the collection’s greatest triumph was its unwavering sense of confidence. In an industry that is perpetually obsessed with what’s next, Donatella reminded us why she is Versace. If this was a farewell, it was a defiant, sparkling, Oscar-worthy one. But if this was just another chapter in her storied career, then one thing is clear: Donatella Versace is far from finished.

See All Looks Versace Fall Winter 2025-2026