The Evolution of Donatella Versace’s Va-Va-Voom Beauty Look—From Blonde to Blonder

Mackenzie Wagoner
Updated

Tracing Donatella Versace’s Beauty Evolution—From Blonde to Blonder

<h1 class="title">Donatella Versace and Gianni Versace at <em>Vogue</em>’s 100th Anniversary Party, New York, 1993</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Donatella Versace and Gianni Versace at Vogue’s 100th Anniversary Party, New York, 1993

Photo: Getty Images
<h1 class="title">With Marc Jacobs and Naomi Campbell, 1995</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

With Marc Jacobs and Naomi Campbell, 1995

Photo: Getty Images
<h1 class="title">At the VH1/<em>Vogue</em> Fashion Awards, 1997</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

At the VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards, 1997

Photo: Getty Images
<h1 class="title">With Jennifer Lopez, 1999</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

With Jennifer Lopez, 1999

Photo: Getty Images
<h1 class="title">In London, 2003</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: REX / Shutterstock</cite>

In London, 2003

Photo: REX / Shutterstock
<h1 class="title">At the International Woolmark Prize event, London, 2013</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: REX / Shutterstock</cite>

At the International Woolmark Prize event, London, 2013

Photo: REX / Shutterstock
<h1 class="title">At the Met Gala, 2017</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

At the Met Gala, 2017

Photo: Getty Images

For all of the commotion over fashion’s major model makeovers on the runways these days, there’s something to be said for sticking to a signature look. Take, for example, Donatella Versace, who has spent her career perfecting the unending appeal of body-con dresses and a lifetime honing a trademark shade of rock ’n’ roll blonde—a fact that didn't go unnoticed by Penelope Cruz, who donned a platinum wig and a series of excellent dresses to play the designer in FX’s Emmy-winning The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story TV series earlier this year, or by the petite powerhouse’s loyal fans in real life.

Versace’s thumbprint personal taste, after all, has not been swayed by aesthetic trends—you won’t find her regretting a pixie, a shag, or a 180 dye job. Case in point: A look back in time proves that for the designer—who recently made global headlines after announcing the sale of the iconic family business for a cool 2.12 billion dollars and will stay on as its chief creative force—a waist-grazing blowout goes with everything from off-the-shoulder gowns to second-skin minis and smartly tailored power suits. Often captured in early pictures at the side of her late brother, Gianni, before assuming the helm of his fashion empire, she embodied the house’s va-va-voom sex appeal. Although in recent years, not even Versace could ignore the temptation to play with an abbreviated new length and canary tipped ends, as seen at one recent Costume Institute Gala.

When it comes to makeup, she, like many Italian legends before her, relies on a daily rimming of black eyeliner for instant impact and a bronze-is-better aesthetic. And at least one photograph proves that nothing—not even a dance party with Jennifer Lopez—can come between her and her lip gloss.

Here, ahead of Versace's highly anticipated pre-fall show in New York City tonight, a look back at her greatest hits.

See the video.