Greetings, Bombers and Bombshells! The past weekend was incredibly hectic. On Saturday, as usual, we held Convos with Claire, and right after that event, I caught Michelle Obama speaking about her memoir 'Becoming' at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Then on Sunday, I was thrilled to be at the Versace Pre-Fall 2019 runway presentation held at the Stock Exchange in lower Manhattan.
Upon stepping inside, I was immediately captivated by a massive, glossy black runway. It was lined with muscular security guards wearing Versace logo tees. Rising from the center of the floor was a golden statue of Lady Liberty's torch-bearing arm—an unmistakable nod to Michael Kors, a New York native, who had recently acquired the Italian fashion house. This artistic statement foreshadowed a change that ran through the evening's 57-piece collection: a blend of classic Versace baroque motifs and distinctly American sportswear. Kors's preferred animal prints, shiny patent leather jackets, and trench coats appeared alongside the brand's signature swirling patterns, which had been cleverly reimagined with stars and stripes reminiscent of the American flag.
For several seasons now, Donatella Versace has been drawing from the house's historical archives, and this season followed suit. Safety pin details and gleaming Medusa-head buttons made appearances across the collection, appearing on little black dresses, blazers, and skirts alike.
However, Michael Kors clearly left his mark on the brand's evolving aesthetic. Enter the animal prints rendered in black, white, turquoise, and brown hues.
The models paraded the latest must-have accessory—Versace suitcases—as they circled the runway.
Near the finale, model Mica Arganaraz hammered home the message with a T-shirt that combined the Versace Medusa logo with the iconic phrase 'I Love New York.' The affection is genuine, and this fusion of two powerful brands undoubtedly produced a remarkable collection. After the show, guests were offered flutes of bubbly champagne while celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, Lupita Wyong’o, Teyana Taylor, 2 Chainz, 21 Savage, Young Thug, Ciara, Lala, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Mary J. Blige socialized with the models. I managed to snap a few selfies and photos with some of the stars—Lupita Wyong’o, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Ciara!
And with that, I called it a night. For the occasion, I dressed simply in jeans and a Versace logo T-shirt, topped off with a pink Duckie Confetti stole. The remainder of the year (yes, the year!) looks fairly quiet for me, aside from a VIP movie screening next week. Anyone who bought VIP tickets to Convos with Claire New York will receive an email shortly. Stay tuned! In the meantime, what are your thoughts on the show?
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