As if! Over two decades since it premiered, once again Clueless proved its permanence as a cultural and sartorial touchstone. After wowing the world last year with a jubilant retrospective of her brother Gianni’s legacy, Donatella Versace triumphed again at Milan Fashion Week with a like totally important take on the iconic teen comedy.
Down the catwalk, at Versace’s autumn winter 18 show walked a tartan skirt suit in yellow and cobalt blue with a swinging It bag at its side. An accidental homage to the 1995 cult classic? Maybe. A Cher Horowitz fan’s dream? Definitely.
It wasn’t the only moment Donatella toyed with motifs of this iconic cinematic moment. Cardigans and knee-high socks, little black body con dresses and argyle knitwear will all feel like familiar references to the keen *Clueless *enthusiast.
But, this was a tougher, punkier Horowitz than Alicia Silverstone played. This rendition is a fan of the football scarves and badge-encrusted berets. She wears tartan skirts with trainers and relishes in ‘80s references. For, Donatella laced the AW18 collection with power shoulders, waist-cinching belts and more-is-more accessorising
A deft move on the part of Donatella was to speak to the so-called ‘modest’ customer without fawning to traditional stereotypes. Not losing the logo-tops and bold patterns, or even the body-hugging corseting, the Italian fashion house found new ways for the customer to stay covered up. This required slick long-sleeve layering, head-covering scarves and drapery that sat away from the form. No house codes were broken or even pushed aside to cater to this growing customer base, which means the Versace loyalist will find happy hunting ground in Donatella’s trend predictions for this forthcoming fall and winter.