Donatella Versace and Lady Gaga
It wasn’t so long ago that we were all treated to Donatella as an SNL regular — Maya Rudolph played the oft-crabby, always snappy designer — but it’s been a while since we’ve gotten to see her signature blonde locks on our televisions. The wait is over, however, because thanks to Gaga, Lifetime and more, the renaissance of Versace is now.
Maya Rudolph as Donatella Versace and Donatella Versace
Maya Rudolph brought Donatella to life on Saturday Night Live, exaggerating the designer’s tan, her accent and her attitude. Donatella herself famously told the hosts of The View that she called up Rudolph and gave her some pointers.
“I gave her some suggestions on how to do me better,” said Versace. “Because I told her, I don’t drink. Take off that jewelry because [it is] are too fake, I only wear real.”
Donatella the character appeared alongside guests such as Christina Aguilera, Halle Berry (who played supermodel Naomi Campbell) and more. She was often seen gesticulating with glasses of champagne, barking orders at her coterie of shirtless male attendants and, of course, chain smoking. And while it was all good and fun, it was certainly missed when Rudolph called it quits and left the show to pursue movies.
Lady Gaga will be bringing Donatella back to the mainstream media (remember, not everyone reads WWD like it’s Us Weekly) with her album Artpop. On the new album, set to be released this fall, Donatella is immortalized in track bearing her name. While the song hasn’t been released or previewed yet, Donatella herself has gotten a sneak peek and loved the track.
“I would like to thank Gaga for her geniality, creativity, incredible talent and super bitchiness,” Donatella stated in an E-mail that was released to Just Jared. “I am honored to be her friend and of course I love the song! Love, DV.”
Produced by Zedd, you’ll recognize his song “Clarity” currently playing on the radio with the song, Gaga promises that the song isn’t just about labels, like her previous song, “Fashion.” Appearing on the Confessions of a Shopaholic soundtrack, “Fashion” mentioned Prada, Fendi and Valentino but made no mention of Versace.
Gaga stated that the track is about “Donatella the person, about me as a person, that idea of what the public wants from you.” Expect it to be a huge hit when it comes out on November 11th.
2 Chainz and Grimes
Music seems to be embracing Versace again, too. Both Grimes and 2 Chainz wore vintage Versace pants to the MTV Video Music Awards this year. The rapper paired his Versace pants with more Versace, giving viewers a head-to-toe outfit of bold gold scrolls, whereas Grimes (known for experimental dream pop and electronic music) toned down her look with a more subdued black tee-shirt. While 2 Chainz has never been one for subtlety, we do think that the look goes a little too far; and as for Grimes, let’s just say that if we had to steal one of these looks, we’d take her relaxed take on Versace right onto Donatella’s yacht.
Migos’ “Versace” cover art
Perhaps the two artists were inspired by the latest track from rapper Migos, entitled simply “Versace.” The song, which features Drake, mentions medusa heads — Versace’s longtime logo — as well as extolling the virtues of living an over-the-top lifestyle that includes Maseratis, Ferragamo shoes and more. The chorus is a repeated refrain of “Versace, Versace, Versace,” and the song opens with the line “Versace, Versace, Medusa head on me like I’m ‘Luminati.” The FTD staff has been twerking to the song since we first caught wind of it.
Gina Gershon as Donatella
And since we can’t get enough of Donatella, Lifetime will be debuting a new movie based on Wall Street Journal author Deborah Ball’s book House of Versace: The Untold Story of Genius, Murder, and Survival.
Set to air on October 5th, the film stars Gina Gershon, who seems to have employed an entire army of spray tanners to achieve Donatella’s signature hue. Smoky eyes, plumped lips and peroxide blonde hair completed the transformation, which might get us even more excited than the actual film. House of Versace chronicles the fashion label and Donatella’s actions after the murder of Gianni Versace, who is played by Veronica Mars star Enrico Colantoni. The film explores Donatella’s struggles with the brand, her recovery from drug addiction and the subsequent rise of the Versace brand under her direction. Set your DVRs and crack open that bottle of Veuve Cliquot that you’ve been saving to make it a real party — Donatella wouldn’t have it any other way.
Images courtesy Lifetime, MTV and Haus of Gaga
