Spring 2017 Haute Couture: Atelier Versace Showcases its Craftsmanship

In an effort to keep the focus on the outfits rather than celebrities sitting on the front row or famed models walking the runway, Atelier Versace eschewed a catwalk presentation this season opting instead to present 17 creations on mannequins at scheduled private appointments in its Avenue Montaigne boutique.

Furthermore with muted colors of nude, grey and gunmetal, the attention was on the atelier’s craftsmanship. Designer Donatella Versace organized her creations around four themes: knots, pleats, metal and organic, stating the collection was about “the pure power of Atelier Versace, and the beautiful transformation of a woman when she puts on her Atelier Versace creation."

Inspired by the "chimera," a sinuous halter neck evening dress was embroidered with light grey Swarovski crystals as if the scales of a python moving down to lime green feathers below the knee. Another evening dress with reptilian lace and an asymmetric décolletage was enriched by Swarovski crystal embroideries, organza knots and petals.

Knots enveloped the silhouette, created from crystal mesh and silk chiffon, or in the form of trompe l'oeil embroideries.

Pleated fabric changed like waves around the body created dramatic volume around the silhouette, while metal mesh was used to create fluid, sexy draping.

A mini-dress with long sleeves and a deep V décolletage was embroidered with mirror fringes, while a vintage rose metal mesh was asymmetrically draped to create a sleeveless column dress.