Donatella Versace Quotes

Creativity comes from a conflict of ideas.

Elegance is always in style for men. There are all different kinds of elegance. It can be silk, it can be a T-shirt.

I love Alexander McQueen. I like the construction of his suits. I think it’s fantastic.

To define the era we live in is very difficult. How do we define it? We define it by music.

New York is full of creative people, not only in fashion.

Let’s just say beauty inspires me. But I like all beauty – I think it really comes from the inside out.

The three biggest fashion mistakes are cheap suits, shoes, and shirts. Spend your money on something good.

I don’t like my physique at all.

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.

For so long Versace couture was identified with celebrities and music, which I love. But at the same time it could overwhelm the clothes.

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 Medusa is a unique symbol – something strong. It’s about going all the way.

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.

I know who the Versace woman is, because I wear the clothes myself.

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.

Something has to change in the world. Without change, young people will have no future.

On a hanger, no dress is sexy. It’s just fabric on a hanger.

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.

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.’

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hollywood is a very inspiring place.

Sometimes big designers are afraid that people won’t recognize them if they change that much.

In order to be responsible, you need some discipline in your life.

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.

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.

In order to be responsible, you need some discipline in your life. For a while I lost mine.

I have long been a fan and enthusiast where art is concerned.

I think glamour all the time. I wake up in the morning and I’m already thinking glamour.

Wear a fabulous smile, great jewelry and know that you are totally and utterly in control.

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.

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.

Fashion is about dreaming and making other people dream.

The suit does not represent the businessman anymore. Nor does the loud shirt represent the rock star. The same man can now wear both.

For me the safety pin is about rebellion, and I’m punk in the soul.

Plus-sized women shouldnt 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.

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.

I always wear high heels – I simply feel naked without them.

In fashion, only sexy won’t go out of fashion.

Lady Gaga is the present and the future. She is the most revolutionary and inspirational artist. She is fearless and daring.

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.

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.

Richard Avedon is a true genius of photography and one of the greatest artists of our time.

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.

Fashion is not frivolous.

How do I keep young? Haven’t you heard? I sleep every night in the deep freezer!

You can be too boring, but you can never be too seductive.

What is comfortable fashion? To be comfortable, that can’t be in the vocabulary of fashion. If you want to be comfortable, stay home in your pajamas.

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.

We all retire one day. If we want to, if we don’t want to.

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.

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.

Many young people don’t know what Versace represent. I want to show what makes Versace an iconic brand.