Versace Relaunches Lower-Priced Versus Line

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There was a teapot-sized tempest a few months ago when Versace announced it would hold firm to its astronomical pricing scheme while seemingly all other luxury labels were discounting left and right. Instead of discounting its main line, Versace opted to revive its lower-priced Versus line, which had been discontinued in 2005. The "more accessible" line, designed with Christopher Kane, debuted with a presentation in Milan that the Times' Suzy Menkes called "a perfect fit."

The collection of miniature dresses in black, khaki and lipstick red was accented with lace inserts and bustiers, some of which bordered on gladiatorial. (We'd be lying if we said we didn't occasionally want to go out on the town in an aluminum breastplate.) It successfully looks forward—with on-trend cut-outs and single shoulders—while keeping an eye on all the things that have come to signify "Versace" over the years. For example, the oversize safety pins that held Elizabeth Hurley into her infamous Versace gown made a reappearance as multicolored accessories holding sleeves onto dresses and holding skirt slits to gaps that were merely slightly scandalous instead of potentially gynecological.
· Versus, Revived [NYT]
· Versus RTW Spring 2010 [WWD]