On the heels of this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Versace transported us from our mundane lives to the glamorous French Riviera for the unveiling of La Vacanza (which translates to ‘vacation’), Versace’s Pre Fall 2023 collection designed in close collaboration with global pop darling, Dua Lipa. 

“Dua loves fashion, I love music – we are the perfect duo! We had such a good time designing this collection together. We felt like we were on vacation and that is exactly the spirit we want people to feel when they wear our clothes,” exclaims Donatella Versace. 

The mood-boosting summer collection revisited decades-old silhouettes from the renowned house, with several pieces directly referencing past collections and playing off of archival pieces from Versace’s history – such as the iconic butterfly and ladybug prints from the house’s Spring/Summer 1995 collection, as seen on models including Precious Lee, Mona Touugard and Iris Law. 

In addition to the nostalgic nod, the collection has a slight distinct ‘80s flair with models wearing big, Barbarella hair in power suits, pencil skirts and metallics styled with aviators. Of course, no summer collection is complete without head-turning swimwear and bralet tops to lounge in poolside, alongside a dash of metallic thigh-high boots and playful mules. The mini Repeat hobo bag, Medusa and Greca jewellery animated with hand-painted or crystal butterflies and ladybugs were presented, perfectly juxtaposed with elements from Versace house codes and Dua’s pop sensation persona. 

Take a look at some of the best hot-off-the-runway looks, direct from the foreshore of the French Riviera, below. 

Photos by Versace.