From a pop culture standpoint it all started in 2011 when Gaga wore vintage Gianni Versace in the video for Edge of Glory. In spite of Cathy Horyn’s completely unnecessary feedback on the outfit stating that “she looked embalmed”; she in fact looked incredible. It was the first time in her entire video history where she had maintained one and only one look. It worked. Especially considering the creative treatment for the actual video was subject to a last minute drop out from Joseph Khan as the director and therefore a complete re-haul and strip down of the concept.
This first joining of Versace and Gaga subsequently transitioned into what can only be described as a beautiful friendship between two powerful and independent Italian women. I must have said and thought a thousand times that a creative venture between the two would be utter perfection – and I guess I wasn’t the only one.
Gaga was announced as music director of the Versus / JW Anderson catwalk show last season which she also attended briefly during her non-promo period. Once the track Donatella was announced on the album it was pretty much guaranteed that the collaboration was in the making, officially. Earlier this month whilst she was in London doing ARTPOP promo she snuck into the studio to shoot the SS14 campaign with Mert & Marcus. I’m actually in awe, it’s a really perfect fit.