“Virtual Versace” is a campaign for Versace Sunglasses and Watches 2017 where the Italian director who Forbes named “The Film Director’s behind the fashion viral videos” takes us on a eight-way tumblr trip reminiscent of Warhol meets classic Versace iconography.

To create the trip, Finotti worked with eight international artists who created the visuals under the mentoring/guidance and approval of Finotti – Studio Wot, Linus Zoll (pictured), Sam&Andy Rolfes, Randy Cano, Darin Vartanian, Jose Gallardo, Michele Lamanna and Stephanie Cholakyan.

To truly experience the trip in detail, make sure to visit www.virtualversaceworld.com

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Tonight is a really weird night, it feels really weird. The UK parliament has just agreed to bomb Syria which is really devastating. I’m genuinely so embarrassed for David Cameron and his government. Anyway, Oz snapped these on the balcony, we were light testing which probably explains the highly contemplative face. I’m wearing The Kooples current season…the image fits that nicely, “Nik et Nik depuis…toujours”. Hat via a store in Soho, t-shirt by Cos.

Oh and the photo below was captured just for Instagram but features the current AW15 season Versace Versus shirt (ps welcome to Instagram Donatella!) paired with an Ada + Nik sleeveless biker, jeans from Topman and shoes by Bottega Veneta.

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Allowing the product to the forefront for the first time in a fair few seasons, here is a preview of the new Versace AW15 campaign – shot by Mert & Marcus of course. It features Alessio Pozzi and Oliver Stummvoll (with more images to come over River Viiperi), and was styled by David Bradshaw.

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Tonight saw the official launch of the first Versace Versus collection with Anthony Vaccarello as creative director. It took place in East London – unsurprising as the collection itself is inspired by Brett Anderson and 1990s Britpop. This is a pretty awesome teaser for Versace considering that the brand is showing a full Versus collection at London Fashion Week in September.

The collection itself was pretty accurately representative of its inspirations and created, marketed and developed for a social media audience – it is immediately available at versusversace.com – the event was also live streamed via Style.com tonight (which you can rewatch) – a really smart digital initiative as it stands, imagine how perfect the future retail model of Style.com would suit this type of activity (so exciting as a e-commerce prospect).

My favourite three menswear pieces are included below. You can shop them here. There are also a handful of intimate Snapchats with Donatella Versace on Snapchat: nikthakkar, and some photos on Instagram.

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Fast becoming Donatella’s latest male muse (after closing the show last season), here’s Daan van der Deen alongside Filip Hrivnak photographed by Mert & Marcus for the new Versace Men’s campaign as posted on Mert Alas’ Instagram earlier today.

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Speaking broadly, the most surreal part is that if you are reading this (and care), it feels like you just experienced a global pop cultural historic moment because what we see in our timeline is what we get lost in and cannot see beyond. As much as I want to believe and currently feel like the entire world experienced what I just experienced (in a Michael Jackson Thriller kind of way), I can’t help but feel that it isn’t the case.

Which I think that Gaga is finally actually ok with. Letting the art speak to those who are capable of actually appreciate it.

The work of art that is Lady Gaga – G.U.Y. – An ARTPOP Film is a statement far beyond traditional statements or those of any predecessors. This is intrinsically linked to the resurrection/cloning of Michael Jackson, Ghandi and Jesus. In a way this is her TROPICO (which also made these statements of alignment of Lana against Marilyn, Elvis, Jesus and Mother Mary). She’s claiming her stake and creating history by essentially removing any female artists from the legacy of pop.

This post is slightly 420 skewed which makes it probably over analytical and probably means that I am digging up things that no-one else has thought of (depending on how quickly I get this written).

Any moving onto the credits (this isn’t a linear review, this is something I am writing for fans) – the credits make as much if not more of a statement than any of the rest of the video. It is her thanks. This generosity is rarely seen in pop, fashion or even film to an extent. This is a list of names of the people who supported and believed in this, not as a simple comeback but a statement of art. It was also the announcement of her new manager, Bobby Campbell.

Which brings me onto Andy Cohen and The Real Housewives. These additions are going to be questioned heavily in terms of (a) affecting the timelessness of the video, and (b) the assumption that it was some grotesque media partnership idea implemented by powers beyond her control. It might, and it may well have been – but take a step out and appreciate that not only did seven months of promotional budget go into this, but weeks of strategic planning and we’d hope, understanding of the cultural landscape. Low and behold the very SAME week that the world’s most famous reality TV star (Kim Kardashian, duh) graces the cover of American Vogue, the world’s most recognisable pop star features the essence of reality TV in her music video. Both are mainstream cultural statements from a trend that has been bubbling up in fashion since Gaultier turned Nabilla Benattia into his muse (to the awaking of much controversy and many an open letter).

Moving onto the choreography and set design collectively – aside from a reaction that is literally “holy shit that was incredible”, the nods to past music videos were utterly ingenious (nice one Richy Squirrel). Enough for the fans but not obvious enough to the general public who would only opt to tear it apart. GIFs will no doubt be on tumblr now with side-by-side comparisons of thrusting, white rooms and poses with male models alongside GIFs from Just dance, Poker Face and Bad Romance. I’m looking at you T Kyle.

In terms of fashion moments, the Versace, Gaultier, Philip Treacy and Charlie Le Mindu looks were her most iconic since the Bad Romance/McQueen. Nice one Brandon Maxwell.

There are things I am probably forgetting to write about like, oh the fallen angel. I can’t, words can’t. The symbolism of the “business man”, the stylised robbery scene and (loud) commentary on the record industry – phenomenal. Oh and lastly, the gesture of including VENUS was a beautiful gift to the fans (along with everything else).

The post Some Symbolism and Thoughts on: Lady Gaga – G.U.Y. – An ARTPOP Film appeared first on KIMU.

The post Nolan Gerard Funk for Versace SS14 appeared first on KIMU.

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.

The post Lady Gaga for Versace: The Story appeared first on KIMU.

2013 shall forever be known as the Year of Donatella. In spite of the statement from the actual House of Versace with regards to the Lifetime TV movie, I believe the general consensus (or my consensus) is that it actually portrayed Donatella in a beautiful light – representing human weakness and undeniable human strength at the same time. Whether it was all a staged and strategic move from the brand shall be left to all of our imaginations (which we all believe is actually correct, right?).

This is coupled and complimented by the third or fourth best song from Lady Gaga’s new album ARTPOP. Donatella (or more accurately DO-NA-TEL-LA!). Due to officially be released on November 11, ARTPOP features the most lyrically vacuous, yet totally avant-garde and geniusly scripted uptempo electro-fashion track of the title “DONATELLA”.

So the lyrics? The track opens with Gaga’s spoken word “I am so fab. Check out, I’m blonde, I’m skinny, I’m rich and I’m a little bit of a bitch.” This is followed by profoundness including: “Walk down the runway, but don’t puke, it’s ok. You’ve just had a salad today, boulangerie”, and “Tailor these clothes to fit your guilt, what’s your size?”, “Versace promises I will, dolce vita.” The chorus? Gaga chanting “DO-NA-TELLA.” It’s the PERFECT fashion pop song which made me realise that I pretty much like ALL fashion pop songs. Either way, buy it on iTunes next week. You won’t regret it.

Back to the House of Versace itself. Following the subversive and GIF heavy announcement of the M.I.A. for Versus campaign, Versus Versace has just announced the launch of an UK exclusive online pop-up store for a limited period of 10 days from tomorrow, Tuesday.

To celebrate, Versus has teamed up with three bloggers including the legit BABE Reem Kanj of Five Five Fabulous to create a visual diary via Pinterest and Facebook.

Oh, and all of this in addition to four incredible main collection shows and maintaining a perfect tan all year round. DO-NA-TEL-LA!

The post Versus Versace Online Pop-Up + DO-NA-TEL-LA appeared first on KIMU.

The film is written and produced by Jeremy Dann-Soury and the trailer features the track “I Am a God” by Kanye West. Gina Gershon, you are a fucking god. House of Versace premieres on Saturday October 5.

https://vimeo.com/75274056

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