VERSACE SOLD; WHY I LOVE THIS DARING PROVOCATIVE BRAND

VERSACE SOLD ?

VERSACE SOLD OH MY GOD !! When I woke yesterday to the story that Versace is being sold to Michael Kors. In a word I was shocked . While it had been rumored a couple of years ago , that Versace had been having some financial troubles . Is this really the answer ?

While many of you may not have the same affinity to Versace as I do, let me explain. When I was a young teenager struggling with coming out and trying to find my way , there was Versace. In fact , as a young design student to me, Versace was a god like figure. Moreover the House of Versace gave us some of the strongest gay and sexual images in fashion . In the same category as daring provocative designers like Thierry Mugler, Jean Paul Gaultier, Alexander McQueen and John Galiano. Therefore as a young gay man , who loved fashion I was awed and amazed by the talent and lifestyle of the great Gianni Versace .

VERSACE SOLD ; THE FANS REACT

Cheap fabric for soccer moms." "Duty-free cheap (expletive) you buy at the airport." "A brand about to go from high-end luxury to TJ Maxx & Walmart.

Versace fans used all kinds of colorful comparisons to criticize the sale of the Iconic Italian fashion brand sale to Michael Kors, taking to social media to mourn what they saw as the brand's sullied legacy.

Following rumors on Monday, the sale of the Gianni Versace fashion house to Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. was confirmed on Tuesday, in a deal worth more than $2 billion.

Versace acolytes responded on social media with all the drama one would expect, invoking the name of the Gianni Versace to condemn the sale.

"Gianni Versace didn't die for his ICONIC brand to be sold to some cheap & tacky designer who is the epitome of locals knowledge on designer brands & whos bags u can't even tell the difference between the fakes they sell in Turkey," read one viral response. "This is the end of Versace. I'm so disappointed."

Some truth-tellers on social media were quick to point out the differences between Kors' luxury and lower-priced lines.

"Michael Kors isn't cheap, actually @MichaelKors has marketing smarts," read one rebuttal. "The "cheap" stuff you see is the less expensive collection & he also has a high end line. So while you can get a MK purse for $400, there is also one for $4000. That's why he's close to owning @Versace!"

That didn't stop other Versace fans from calling Michael Kors the "tackiest man alive." However I'm not attacking in anyway Michael Kors , my opinion is slightly more subtle. In fact if the Versace brand was in trouble of dissappearing , I am glad Versace was sold .

VERSACE SOLD : DONATELA TO STAY ON

The Versace family will retain a role in the company. In fact Donatella and her design aesthetic will stay at the heart of Versace . Furthermore Donatella had a string of successes since her Spring 2018 reissue collection . Therefore she will continue to lead the company's creative vision. While I still have some doubts about the sale, I am standing by one of my favorite fashion houses.

DONATELLA SAYS;

"This is a very exciting moment for Versace," she said about the sale. "It has been more than 20 years since I took over the company along with my brother Santo and daughter Allegra. I am proud that Versace remains very strong in both fashion and modern culture. Versace is not only synonymous with its iconic and unmistakable style, but with being inclusive and embracing of diversity, as well as empowering people to express themselves. Santo, Allegra and I recognize that this next step will allow Versace to reach its full potential."

VERSACE SOLD ; WHAT MAKES VERSACE FABULOUS

When I heard 20 twenty years ago , that Gianni Versace was murdered, I cried. Although I didn't know Gianni , some how I felt I did. In fact he was an idol to many young gay men in and out of the fashion industry. In addition women loved Versace , he was a master at making a woman look and feel fabulous. After the initial shock Donatella , her brother Santo and daughter Allegra took over . In my opinion they did Gianni proud , they continued the great fashion house and the with the design aesthetic of Gianni for future generations.

It must be remembered what a trail blazer Gianni Versace was. First he loved woman's bodies and knew how to dress them with sex appeal and sophistication. He was both daring and provocative in his designs . Second his body-con fashion was a cultural movement. Therefore along with Madonna, Princess Diana, and others he truly presented fashion and pop culture in a new light.

Gianni Versace was at the top of his game when he was tragically murdered in Miami in 1997. The Italian designer had built the Versace brand into a billion-dollar behemoth and changed the fashion landscape forever, from helping to cement a pack of supermodels into fashion history to utilizing actors and rock stars in his campaigns and on runways.

Finally above all else it is the fashion and clothes that are Versace. Therefore with hesitation I still look forward to the future Versace collections. In celebration lets look at the great Versace collection for fall 2018.