At a time when many fashion houses decided to pare down on their designs and cuts in quarantine-borne collections, Donatella Versace stays true to her brand’s core aesthetic and goes all out in an unmistakably Versace fashion. At the close of Milan Digital fashion week, the Italian fashion house has released its newest dual-drop coed collection titled Versace Flash — a tightly edited menswear and womenswear range full of fun, positivity, audacity and sensuality. Imagine: this is Versace fighting for our self-confidence and optimism in the post-lockdown world with the force and fervor that feels so authentic to the iconic fashion label.

The new capsule is slated to land in stores in two drops: one will hit the stores running in a see-now-buy-now mode in August and another delivered in accordance with resort schedules in November. Naturally, the new collection features quintessentially summery pieces alongside more transitional attire, making for a bold lineup that spans different merchandising categories.

The collection’s womenswear comes in an eclectic mix of statement pieces: powerful boxy shoulders and sharply tailored silhouettes are peppered with acid brights, metallic rings and snakeskin patterns for a bold night-out vibe. Form-fitting black jersey numbers featured gold rings peep holes cut into their fabric for glam and sexy peekaboo moment; the brand’s signature flared, belted minidresses were rendered in audacious patchworks of animal prints and Barocco patterns — all channeling the kind of flamboyance and joie de vivre we all want (and need) in these uncertain times.

Men’s garments brought in this sportswear-meets-streetwear energy: there were sweats, surfer tees, wide-leg shorts, and tracksuits featuring a bold Medusa Amplified motif mixed with snakeskin patterns. The range also offered a selection of cropped-pant suits in pastel colors of lavender, mint and baby blue for a soft-tailored alternative to traditional formal dressing. 

Addressing the world’s sustainability concerns, the jerseys and sweaters in the menswear line were crafted from responsibly sourced materials and dyes. The fashion house decided to make do with what’s available under the circumstances — upcycling and reusing deadstock fabrics — and propagate the more eco-friendly modes of production along the way.

A cool lo-fi video was released alongside the Versace Flash collection during Milan Digital fashion week, featuring a performance by the British rapper AJ Tracey and the American model Anok Yai, and appropriately so — the resort range was largely inspired by young musicians’ attitude of rebellion and their unconventional style choices. Donatella Versace herself made a cameo appearance in the digital presentation, once again proving her superstar stature.

Check out the Versace Flash live preview video below: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYtq1pokp-I