Photo: WWD

“It is with tremendous emotion that I return to the Ritz where I shared so many special moments with my brother,” Donatella Versace said. “The closing of the Ritz Paris for two years represents the end of an era but also the beginning of a new one, so to be able to show Atelier Versace there one last time will be a memorable milestone.”

Between 1990 and 2004, the Ritz saw many an Atelier show, though last year was the first in several that Atelier Versace returned to the couture calendar.  It’s presentation at the Quai Malaquais, however, raised a few eyebrows.

Okay, raised Cathy Horyn‘s eyebrow.

In her not particularly flattering review of the spring 2012 haute couture collection, Horyn harped on the collection’s awkward staging, describing a tense and unwelcoming atmosphere that “might have been eliminated had Ms. Versace just staged a normal show.”

Well,  Cath, you’re getting your wish. Donatella and co. will go back to the runway in the hotel’s Salon Vandome on July 1, hosting not one but two shows. [Vogue UK]

- Beverly Johnson, the first black woman on the cover of Vogue, is getting a show on OWN, the network by the first black woman to literally own the world. [ONTD!]

- Aaaaaaand I’m pregnant. Daniel Radcliffe on the cover of Bullett. [Socialite Life]

- Proving further that humanity is basically just one large dumpster full of hopeless trash careening into a maelstrom of despair, cops had to shut down malls around the country to prevent shoppers from killing each other to get Nike‘s new Foamposite Galaxy 2012. [Styleite]

- Donatella Versace channeled Gianni Versace‘s final collection for the house’s fall 2012 presentation in Milan. “I can look at it now with a smile,” she said of her late brother. “I remember my last moments with Gianni, the rehearsal, the show. But finally I have freedom. I am not afraid.” [NYT]

- Noted couturier and sometime cobbler Kanye West designed shoes for Australian designer Dion Lee‘s fashion show during London Fashion Week. [The Cut]

“The Great Designers” will also be accompanied by the book The Great Designers: Fashion’s Hall of Fame from A to Z, highlighting 500 of the museum’s masterworks by 100 of the 20th- and 21st-century’s most important designers. Publishing in April 2012, the book will include an essay by museum curator Valerie Steele on the history of fashion museums and exhibits,  along with short bios on the 100 designers. Click through the gallery for some of the designs featured and to keep you occupied until you can make your way to the FIT Museum to see them in person. [WWD, FIT]

Boudicca, Fall 2006

Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld, 1986

Givenchy by Alexander McQueen, Fall 1997

Thierry Mugler, c. 1987

Rick Owens, Fall 2008

Prada, Fall 2011

Gareth Pugh, Fall 2007

Elsa Schiaparelli, Fall 1935

Valentino, Spring 2008

Gianni Versace, 1991

1. Princess Diana – Diana Spencer

Title: Princess of Wales
Prince Charming: Friend, confidante and designer of choice, Gianni Versace, particularly since Prince Charles proved more frog than prince.

2. Princess Grace – Grace Kelly

Title: Princess of Monaco
Prince Charming: Longtime BFF, Josephine Baker, whom she met in 1951 after standing up for Baker against The Stork Club’s racist practices

3. Princess Jasmine – from Disney‘s Aladdin

Title: Princess of Agrabah
Prince Charming: Street urchin turned Prince Ali, Fabulous He Ali Ababwa

4. Princess Ann – Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday (1953)

Title: N/A
Prince Charming: Co-star Gregory Peck and Hubert de Givenchy whom she wore to accept her Best Actress Oscar for her performance

5. Princess Charlotte – Charlotte Casiraghi

Title: Princess of Monaco (she’s Princess Grace’s granddaughter)
Prince Charming: Gucci’s Frida Giannini who exclusively designs Princess Charlotte’s equestrian wardrobe.

6. Princess Sirivannavari – Sirivannavari Nariratana

Title: Princess of Thailand
Prince Charming: Fashion. She’s designs her own fashion line and is a regular at Jean Paul Gaultier‘s shows.

7. Miss Chi Chi Rodriguez – John Leguizamo in To Wong Foo

Title: Drag Princess, “P to the R to the In to the Cess”
Prince Charming: Julie Newmar, who crowns the princess a queen while wearing a Mugler catsuit.

8. Princess Leila – Leila Pahlavi

Title: Princess of Iran
Prince Charming: Barbiturates. A former Valentino model, Leila had her share of demons including anorexia, depression and drug abuse, which ultimately claimed her life.

9. Mia Thermopolis – Anne Hathaway in The Princess Diaries

Title: Princess of Genovia
Prince Charming: Julie Andrews, whose spoonful of sugar helped make the royal medicine go down as Mia’s grandmother, Queen Clarisse.

10. Princess Catherine – Kate Middleton

Title: The Duchess of Cambridge, Her Royal Highness Princess William of Wales
Prince Charming: Sarah Burton, whose Alexander McQueen wedding gown propelled Kate from lady to Lady.

Photo: NY Times

“She lives fashion. She sings about and says it’s the most fun thing about getting ready for Idol. Her eyes light up when you ask her what kind of shoes she’s wearing.” So says Tommy Hilfiger, who’s working with La Lopez on her newest line for Kohl’s.

If you remember, in the heady days of Bennifer when Jenny purported she was from the block, she started JLO and its allegedly higher end line, Sweetface. It made sense, she was a bona fide fashion icon, scoring more hits on the red carpet than at the box office.

Example A:

And of course, the plunging neckline heard round the world:

That dress made Jennifer Lopez’s career — and coincidentally revived Versace which was struggling under Donatella Versace after the death of her brother Gianni three years earlier in 1997 — and propelled her to fashion fame (and infamy).

So it made sense for her of all people to start a fashion line, but she apparently “didn’t understand the business well enough.” Now with a new Hilfiger on board — Andy, Tommy’s younger brother, was J.Lo’s JLO partner — the old girl’s ready to give it another go.

Sure, Kohl’s isn’t a runway in Milan or a luxurious presentation on the French Riviera, but J. Lo’s going to be getting that J. Simps money.* Coupled with her cushy gig on American Idol, a hit dance song (the gays will take anything) and DVD sales from Selena, La Lopez has mounted a comeback!

And I couldn’t be happier.

There are so few real stars left since reality TV and the Internet has ruined fame for everyone (p.s. follow me on Twitter @LesFabian). Sure, she’s not the most talented singer, or actress, or dancer, or fashion designer, but hey — she’s the best at pretending to do all of them. And that’s called star power, kids.

Sidebar: Who knew Jessica Simpson would be the prototype for 21st century celebrity moguls?

Want the look? Shop A. Turen and get 10% off when you mention you FashionIndie!

LOOK ONE: Crop It Tall

The Painted Shorts: A. Turen, $168

The look began with the jean shorts, hand painted by Ashley Turen. Tattered to exposed-pocket summertime delight, these completely original mid-waisted metallic daisy dukes spoke to me.

The Nude Leather Tank: Maggie Ward, $282

I chose this top for its stability and flounce; the cropped A-line is perfect with a short and tight high waist. Plus, the leather is like cream. Maggie Ward was founded by Three Dots co-founder John Ward with the vision to make comfortable clothing that doesn’t appear comfortable. Tricky, tricky, and totally working.

The Softest Cropped Cardi: KristenseN du Nord, $239

This piece immediately warranted a home in the Boutique Critique. The combination of fabrics so delicate on a shape that embraces the moment makes for a must-have. Since the brand’s inception in 1996, they have worked exclusively with carefully selected Italian craftsmen and the finest materials. They use a method they call “wash-wash” to ensure zero shrinkage.

The Turban-Tied Scarf: Juma, $176

Amidst the wall of brilliantly patterned scarves, this one jumped out in its regality. With the image of a peacock surrounded by its painterly feathers, it just begged to be wrapped around my head until it became a fabric beehive. Brother and sister duo Alia and Jamil Juma forged these scarves and the rest of their collections from the influence of travel and art.

The Memories Necklace: Venessa Arizaga, $325

Off this chain hangs little bits of reminders of the trinkets you’ve encountered throughout your life and childhood. Each piece of jewelry is different; these pieces are gathered by Vanessa Arizaga through her copious travels. Before she took the dive into her own jewelry business, she was deep in the design world working under Tuleh, Carolina Herrera and Zac Posen. This is jewelry with a sense of humor and a background of elegance.

The Sneaks: Ash, $130

Properly faded and bleached, this pair makes one chill summer sneaker. The design pair Leonello Calvani and Patrick Ithier share a history in French luxury and create fine shoes that hit abreast of the trend – they strive to cater to those who seek out fashion in the most thrilling cities in the world.

The Chain Mail Pouch: Laura B Collection Particulière, $760

Made of metal mesh that moves like water, this pouch slouches so elegantly at the side. It has an alternative handle to carry on the wrist as well. Versatile and a little bit see through, I’m rather in love. This bag came to Laura Bortolami in a dream, whilst sleeping in Morocco; a glimmer on mesh. And so she did. Before she did any of this, she worked in her native city of Rome for Armani, Gianni Versace, Dolce & Gabbana and more until she dedicated herself fully to her jewelry venture in 1999.

Like what you see? See more all week here from A. Turen. And here’s where to go to get your own:

A. Turen | 85 Stanton St (btwn Orchard and Allen), New York, NY | (212) 533-8200

Photography by Christopher Hall

PS – Seriously, try the meatballs across the street.

Donatella Versace teamed up with Christopher Kane to resurrect the Versus label started by Gianni in the late eighties. The capsule collection launches this fall.

LINKAGE: highsnobette

20 years after Gianni Versace launched the Versus diffusion line – and five years after the last collection – Donatella Versace has revived the label.

At a presentation in Milan this Sunday, Donatella and collaborator Christopher Kane debuted accessories for Fall/Winter 2009.

Dazed & Confused reported that this year’s line “draws direct inspiration from the back catalog of Versus and includes super high black platform heels with bold diamond detailing, black geometric calfskin bags, chunky bejeweled Chelsea boots and opulent crystal jewelry.” So it seems to be a mix honest to both designer’s styles.

Versus will release men’s and women’s clothing in Spring 2010.

GALLERY: Versus by Christopher Kane and Donatella Versace

Allegra with Gianni right before his death

With Donatella after Gianni

Last year

Before hospitalization

Last night

Allegra Beck, daughter of Donatella Versace, and owner of 50% of the Versace empire, has appeared emaciated for several years, speculating rumors of an eating disorder. In 2007, she was hospitalized for anorexia and has been in and out of treatment since.
It has been over a year and Allegra appeared last night at Cipriani’s looking just as unhealthy as she did when she was hospitalized. It seems as though she isn’t getting help, money apparently doesn’t buy happiness. This girl has everything, and yet her high-end designer clothes hang on her like on a hanger.

I’m not bashing her sickness, obviously I hope she gets help, she is a beautiful girl and I just wish she used her potential…

Last year

With Donatella after Gianni's death