Donatella Versace
Height: 165 cm
Donatella Versace was born on May 2, 1955 in Reggio di Calabria, Italy. She is a costume designer, known for Mademoiselle C (2013), Valentino: The Last Emperor (2008) and The Devil Wears Prada (2006).
I like perfume and flowers.
I like perfume and flowers.
I don't see anybody categorized as a 'fashion diva,' except for me! And I like that. I am thought of Show more
I don't see anybody categorized as a 'fashion diva,' except for me! And I like that. I am thought of as a diva because I wear an evening dress and I take care of my look when I go out. I go to parties regarding business, not for fun. And that's why they call me a 'diva.' Hide
I've learned how to appreciate what I have. And it's a lot. I'm very lucky.
I've learned how to appreciate what I have. And it's a lot. I'm very lucky.
Hollywood is a very inspiring place.
Hollywood is a very inspiring place.
We all retire one day. If we want to, if we don't want to.
We all retire one day. If we want to, if we don't want to.
In order to be responsible, you need some discipline in your life. For a while I lost mine.
In order to be responsible, you need some discipline in your life. For a while I lost mine.
I was a fashion addict by the time I was 11 years old. I'd wear a miniskirt and patent-leather boots Show more
I was a fashion addict by the time I was 11 years old. I'd wear a miniskirt and patent-leather boots. Hide
I wake up at about the same time every day. I sleep well and wake without an alarm clock.
I wake up at about the same time every day. I sleep well and wake without an alarm clock.
If I could dress anyone, I'd like to dress the Queen - she can handle anything. I'd put her in black Show more
If I could dress anyone, I'd like to dress the Queen - she can handle anything. I'd put her in black - she never wears black - and add a little leather, maybe. A little rock n' roll. Hide
New York is full of creative people, not only in fashion.
New York is full of creative people, not only in fashion.
Fashion is about dreaming and making other people dream.
Fashion is about dreaming and making other people dream.
Gianni created the whole thing. I came later and helped him.
Gianni created the whole thing. I came later and helped him.
I think people need to see Prince live to really understand how remarkable he is.
I think people need to see Prince live to really understand how remarkable he is.
In mythology, the Medusa can petrify people with a look - which is a good thing, I think. But the Me Show more
In mythology, the Medusa can petrify people with a look - which is a good thing, I think. But the Medusa is a unique symbol - something strong. It's about going all the way. Hide
In fashion, women have more sensitivity, more sense of the body, so they know how things fit and fee Show more
In fashion, women have more sensitivity, more sense of the body, so they know how things fit and feel. Yet there are not many women who study fashion. It's ridiculous. Hide
Scent is very important. Strong fragrances suit some men, while citrus types suit others. I like my Show more
Scent is very important. Strong fragrances suit some men, while citrus types suit others. I like my men to smell fresh and woody, but also like a man. Hide
In order to be responsible, you need some discipline in your life.
In order to be responsible, you need some discipline in your life.
I love Alexander McQueen. I like the construction of his suits. I think it's fantastic.
I love Alexander McQueen. I like the construction of his suits. I think it's fantastic.
Die and born again, die and born again. It's the story of my life.
Die and born again, die and born again. It's the story of my life.
Richard Avedon is a true genius of photography and one of the greatest artists of our time.
Richard Avedon is a true genius of photography and one of the greatest artists of our time.
When my mother did fittings for her clients, I was hiding, looking at these beautiful ladies try on Show more
When my mother did fittings for her clients, I was hiding, looking at these beautiful ladies try on these fantastic clothes. I was dreaming as a small child to try these clothes on myself. Hide
People are always surprised when they spend time with my children by how normal they are. They're po Show more
People are always surprised when they spend time with my children by how normal they are. They're polite. They're well mannered. They're very down to earth, in a way. Hide
My style is not that big. I wear heels, tight pants, and I wear diamonds.
My style is not that big. I wear heels, tight pants, and I wear diamonds.
It's very important for a brand to have an identity through the years, but it's very important as we Show more
It's very important for a brand to have an identity through the years, but it's very important as well to evolve because times change so fast. Hide
Creativity comes from a conflict of ideas.
Creativity comes from a conflict of ideas.
I love the mix of people who hang out at nightclubs now. Their individuality is an inspiration to me Show more
I love the mix of people who hang out at nightclubs now. Their individuality is an inspiration to me. The music they listen to, the clothes they wear and the way they wear them defines a street style that I love. Hide
Fashion is a weapon that you can use when you need it.
Fashion is a weapon that you can use when you need it.
The man of the millennium is much more liberated than the man of the '90s.
The man of the millennium is much more liberated than the man of the '90s.
I have long been a fan and enthusiast where art is concerned.
I have long been a fan and enthusiast where art is concerned.
Something has to change in the world. Without change, young people will have no future.
Something has to change in the world. Without change, young people will have no future.
I don't even know what my natural colour is. Natural? What is natural? What is that? I do not believ Show more
I don't even know what my natural colour is. Natural? What is natural? What is that? I do not believe in totally natural for women. For me, natural has something to do with vegetables. Hide
Some men look great unshaven; others just look like they forgot to shave. Beards and mustaches can b Show more
Some men look great unshaven; others just look like they forgot to shave. Beards and mustaches can be really distinctive if you go for an earthy, rock-and-roll look like the Kings of Leon or the Killers. Hide
I don't like balance. Balance is not a word you can use in Versace fashion.
I don't like balance. Balance is not a word you can use in Versace fashion.
I think people need to see Prince live to really understand how remarkable he is. He has always been Show more
I think people need to see Prince live to really understand how remarkable he is. He has always been inspiring because he is never afraid to break rules or barriers or invent something new - and if you love fashion, then you need to be able to do that. Hide
I have to say, I grew up with fashion because my mother was a seamstress, and she had an atelier. Sh Show more
I have to say, I grew up with fashion because my mother was a seamstress, and she had an atelier. She would cut the first pattern, and then she had people working for her. So I grew up in an atelier, watching people all around me sewing. I was fascinated. Hide
For me, music gives a voice to fashion.
For me, music gives a voice to fashion.
I'm a designer, and I work very hard at that. People sometimes want to put down fashion by saying it Show more
I'm a designer, and I work very hard at that. People sometimes want to put down fashion by saying it's frivolous or superficial, but it's not that way at all. It's actually very hard work. Hide
I have worked with wool all my life as a designer. There's so much more to it than knitwear - it's a Show more
I have worked with wool all my life as a designer. There's so much more to it than knitwear - it's an amazingly versatile material and can be used in so many different ways from chic to rustic. Hide
I have an image of what a British gentleman looks like, and that image finds real expression in Prin Show more
I have an image of what a British gentleman looks like, and that image finds real expression in Prince Charles. He is beyond fashion - he is an archetype of style. Hide
Women are all the same; we want to be smaller in the waist, longer legs, slimmer. I design for women Show more
Women are all the same; we want to be smaller in the waist, longer legs, slimmer. I design for women and their defects, to make them better. Hide
I'm a feminist. I want to fight, but I don't see many people with this desire to fight for something Show more
I'm a feminist. I want to fight, but I don't see many people with this desire to fight for something. Women don't help each other, especially in fashion. Hide
You can't pretend that everybody likes Versace. It would be boring. It's better to create a reaction Show more
You can't pretend that everybody likes Versace. It would be boring. It's better to create a reaction than to create no reaction. That's dangerous. Hide
The body should be reconfigured by the clothes, never again the other way round.
The body should be reconfigured by the clothes, never again the other way round.
In fashion, only sexy won't go out of fashion.
In fashion, only sexy won't go out of fashion.
My mother didn't want me to be in fashion. She was in the fashion business, so was my brother, and s Show more
My mother didn't want me to be in fashion. She was in the fashion business, so was my brother, and she thought it was too crazy for me. She wanted me to be married with children, to be independent, yes, but not to have a crazy life. Hide
The three biggest fashion mistakes are cheap suits, shoes, and shirts. Spend your money on something Show more
The three biggest fashion mistakes are cheap suits, shoes, and shirts. Spend your money on something good. Hide
As with most things in my life, I believe you should try to enjoy yourself and never feel like you a Show more
As with most things in my life, I believe you should try to enjoy yourself and never feel like you are a slave to a routine. Hide
At that time of the supermodels, celebrities didn't want to be in fashion; they thought they were mo Show more
At that time of the supermodels, celebrities didn't want to be in fashion; they thought they were more intellectual and interesting than anyone in fashion. Hide
I like to eat. Definitely. I love sitting around a table with my friends. But I don't know how to co Show more
I like to eat. Definitely. I love sitting around a table with my friends. But I don't know how to cook anything. Hide
You can never forget the time you're living in because the past is the past and it will never come b Show more
You can never forget the time you're living in because the past is the past and it will never come back. So to adjust your philosophy and creativity in fashion to the time you're living in is the most important thing. Hide
I'm like a little kid when it comes to music. I mean, the music is always blasting wherever I am tha Show more
I'm like a little kid when it comes to music. I mean, the music is always blasting wherever I am that people always knock on my door and say, 'It's too loud!' But I think music gives so much inspiration. Hide
You can have small moments of happiness in life. You certainly can't expect years and years of it.
You can have small moments of happiness in life. You certainly can't expect years and years of it.
It would be very easy for us to do a collection that everybody would like and not criticize. But cri Show more
It would be very easy for us to do a collection that everybody would like and not criticize. But criticism is a part of life. You have to take it. Hide
During the eighties and nineties, people wanted to be chic, elegant, bourgeois.
During the eighties and nineties, people wanted to be chic, elegant, bourgeois.
Plus-sized women shouldn't think of themselves as a size. They should think of themselves as women w Show more
Plus-sized women shouldn't think of themselves as a size. They should think of themselves as women with rich goals in life. Size doesn't mean, really, anything. You can carry your size with pride and dress in a way that you like. Hide
On a hanger, no dress is sexy. It's just fabric on a hanger.
On a hanger, no dress is sexy. It's just fabric on a hanger.
The first thing I do each morning is get out of bed and give my dog, Audrey, a hug. She's a Jack Rus Show more
The first thing I do each morning is get out of bed and give my dog, Audrey, a hug. She's a Jack Russell. I think having an animal is a wonderful thing, particularly dogs. They are great levelers, there's no nonsense with them, and they just want simple affection. Hide
How do I keep young? Haven't you heard? I sleep every night in the deep freezer!
How do I keep young? Haven't you heard? I sleep every night in the deep freezer!
I think there was a time when I was too strict and controlling. I think I asphyxiated my children.
I think there was a time when I was too strict and controlling. I think I asphyxiated my children.
I think my own look makes people think I'm tough, but when they get to know me I'm very different.
I think my own look makes people think I'm tough, but when they get to know me I'm very different.
I find older men more attractive than boys. I need a man who can teach me a thing or two.
I find older men more attractive than boys. I need a man who can teach me a thing or two.
Many young people don't know what Versace represent. I want to show what makes Versace an iconic bra Show more
Many young people don't know what Versace represent. I want to show what makes Versace an iconic brand. Hide
Powerful women intimidate men. If she's a really well-known woman, she has a career, she's famous - Show more
Powerful women intimidate men. If she's a really well-known woman, she has a career, she's famous - in that case, men are really afraid. Hide
Some say the economy means that you have to persuade people to invest in clothes - to buy less thing Show more
Some say the economy means that you have to persuade people to invest in clothes - to buy less things but more expensive things. I disagree - invest in jewelry, or a house, maybe, but not in fashion. Hide
When I work, I wear pants usually because I want to be comfortable. I wear dark colors, especially i Show more
When I work, I wear pants usually because I want to be comfortable. I wear dark colors, especially in winter, because I don't want to concentrate on myself but on what I'm working on. Because I really, really love clothes, I can start to think too much about myself. It's distracting. Hide
My muse changes all the time because I think every designer is a bit of a muse for themselves in a w Show more
My muse changes all the time because I think every designer is a bit of a muse for themselves in a way - they just don't want to say it. Hide
I think glamour all the time. I wake up in the morning and I'm already thinking glamour.
I think glamour all the time. I wake up in the morning and I'm already thinking glamour.
For so long Versace couture was identified with celebrities and music, which I love. But at the same Show more
For so long Versace couture was identified with celebrities and music, which I love. But at the same time it could overwhelm the clothes. Hide
A business woman needs a successful mix of design and practicality.
A business woman needs a successful mix of design and practicality.
To define the era we live in is very difficult. How do we define it? We define it by music.
To define the era we live in is very difficult. How do we define it? We define it by music.
For me the safety pin is about rebellion, and I'm punk in the soul.
For me the safety pin is about rebellion, and I'm punk in the soul.
Fashion is not frivolous.
Fashion is not frivolous.
Fashion needs fresh blood, and London is the most creative place for that.
Fashion needs fresh blood, and London is the most creative place for that.
Women should be sure of themselves because women have a lot of capacities. We can achieve so many di Show more
Women should be sure of themselves because women have a lot of capacities. We can achieve so many different things that men cannot. I think women are stronger. Hide
I know who the Versace woman is, because I wear the clothes myself.
I know who the Versace woman is, because I wear the clothes myself.
Let's just say beauty inspires me. But I like all beauty - I think it really comes from the inside o Show more
Let's just say beauty inspires me. But I like all beauty - I think it really comes from the inside out. Hide
In my life I had no other choice than to become a strong person.
In my life I had no other choice than to become a strong person.
Showing your femininity should help your career and not go against your career. Dressing like a man, Show more
Showing your femininity should help your career and not go against your career. Dressing like a man, using the suit to look powerful - that was the '80s, and that didn't help women. Hide
I always wear high heels - I simply feel naked without them.
I always wear high heels - I simply feel naked without them.
To be Catholic puts a lot of fear in you. It's a great religion, but also one that can limit your ex Show more
To be Catholic puts a lot of fear in you. It's a great religion, but also one that can limit your experience. You fear experience because everything is a sin. Hide
You couldn't define the '80s when the '80s were happening. We kept changing. We had shoulder pads, t Show more
You couldn't define the '80s when the '80s were happening. We kept changing. We had shoulder pads, then we didn't. It was revealing, and then it was decoration. It was a lot of things at once. It was defined when it was over. Hide
I think men know to seduce women though words and conversation and nice gestures. That's much sexier Show more
I think men know to seduce women though words and conversation and nice gestures. That's much sexier than when a man uses muscle. Hide
It's no good being too easily swayed by people's opinions. You have to believe in yourself.
It's no good being too easily swayed by people's opinions. You have to believe in yourself.
I understand that the rule of fashion is to change, even as a successful designer - you do not want Show more
I understand that the rule of fashion is to change, even as a successful designer - you do not want to be stuck in the same rut. Hide
The suit does not represent the businessman anymore. Nor does the loud shirt represent the rock star Show more
The suit does not represent the businessman anymore. Nor does the loud shirt represent the rock star. The same man can now wear both. Hide
I do think that exercise is important, not only to keep you in shape but also for your state of mind Show more
I do think that exercise is important, not only to keep you in shape but also for your state of mind. However, I am not fanatical about it. Hide
Sometimes big designers are afraid that people won't recognize them if they change that much.
Sometimes big designers are afraid that people won't recognize them if they change that much.
Fashion is all about happiness. It's fun. It's important. But it's not medicine.
Fashion is all about happiness. It's fun. It's important. But it's not medicine.
I love anyone who breaks the rules, and musicians always break the rules - in an aggressive way.
I love anyone who breaks the rules, and musicians always break the rules - in an aggressive way.
I don't like my physique at all.
I don't like my physique at all.
Elegance is always in style for men. There are all different kinds of elegance. It can be silk, it c Show more
Elegance is always in style for men. There are all different kinds of elegance. It can be silk, it can be a T-shirt. Hide
When I meet celebrities, I have to know what they are like and only then can I design. The clothes h Show more
When I meet celebrities, I have to know what they are like and only then can I design. The clothes have to fit their personality. Hide
I studied at a university in Florence and finished my degree. My mother was very strict about this r Show more
I studied at a university in Florence and finished my degree. My mother was very strict about this recipe: You need to get your degree. Hide
Lady Gaga is the present and the future. She is the most revolutionary and inspirational artist. She Show more
Lady Gaga is the present and the future. She is the most revolutionary and inspirational artist. She is fearless and daring. Hide
In Italian there is an expression: We don't sleep on the fame.
In Italian there is an expression: We don't sleep on the fame.