DONATELLA AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS

DONATELLA AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS

Anyone who’s ever fantasized about roaming through a Versace-designed funhouse stuffed with mirrors, moving walls, runway shows, and Prince concerts would have really enjoyed the launch of Versace for H&M last night at Pier 57. Guests walked past a dazzling, tropical-printed step-and-repeat right into a parlor of mirrors in gilded frames for cocktails. Mark Ronson and Selma Blair both opted for head-to-toe Pepto pink ensembles from the gathering, coming out among a crowd clad mostly in black. One of several walls unfolded, revealing a Milan-grade, circuitous catwalk. Just because the show was about to start out, Nicki Minaj arrived, wearing a crystal-studded customized Versace concoction, blending in with the tropicalia by decorating her green curly wig with palm fronds.

Then Prince walked by. There aren’t any words.

After the show-soundtracked by a thumping Royksopp remix which devolved into an apropos tribal house beat-Donatella appeared and walked the fringe of the room to thundering applause. As she came full-circle, an extra wall opened, revealing a gloomy and misty discotheque with sodium lights and waiters with trays of mojitos. Donatella motioned for the group to follow her, and we did. The remainder of the night is perhaps Googlable. Nicki performed a medley of her glitziest rap rants, before Prince took the stage and turned members of the craze media into tearful, sweating maniacs, climaxing with a soulful performance of “Purple Rain”. It reminded one in all what fashion parties were like back when labels had budgets. In line with the pandaemonium that ensued within the final hidden chamber, an emporium during which to shop for the road, Donatella and H&M should get a huge fat return on their investment.

Try the industrial for the collaboration below, and spot photos from last night after the jump.

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