When ELLE hosted Christopher Kane at the British Fashion Awards in December, he told us that the Versus collection was almost finished already - astonishingly early when most designers are still making changes the night before.
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Such is the power of Donatella and Versace, he said, that ideas are presented to you as fully-formed pieces the morning after a brainstorm.
Sunday's show had a very clear direction; sleek tailoring with bodice detailing woven through coats and dresses with gauze panels and boning. At first, what was surprisingly simple earnt the Versace glitz with glitter geometric prints running over simple shifts in pink and green. Peplum hems sprouted from hips and alpine knits were re-worked.
It was a very tight collection with none of the surprise element that Kane is known for, or indeed the youthfulness and vitality that Versus usually produces. But the glitter block heels and pencil skirts will no doubt find favour with both the old and new guard.
