A Dazzling Celebration of Fashion and Fame
The Gianni Versace Retrospective brings all the glamour, drama, and high-impact style you’d expect from the iconic fashion house, writes Luigia Minichiello.
This is the first and largest exhibition of its kind in the UK, showcasing over 450 original pieces from private collections around the world, from Munich to Malaga to Manchester – many of which have never been displayed here before.
The preview night delivered pure Versace energy. Guests arrived in their finest OTT fashion tributes, with paparazzi flashes lighting up the red carpet. Singer Myleene Klass wowed in a bold, floor-length red gown paired with bright yellow Louboutins, while presenter Vanessa Feltz turned heads in a soft pink A-line number.
Versace was never about blending in. He created clothes with vivid colour, daring cuts and luxe fabrics, mixing pop art with aRock and Royalty attitude. He didn’t just design, he shaped a cultural moment while helping to launch the supermodel era and cementing fashion’s connection to celebrity. This exhibition captures all of that and more.
Set in a dramatic red-brick railway arch, the space channels the edgy energy of 90s’ nightlife – a deliberate nod from curator Karl von der Ahé, who believes Gianni would have loved the setting. There’s a mock-up of his design studio and, remarkably, nothing is behind glass, so you can get up close to study the cut, detail and craftsmanship.
From Princess Diana’s elegant pieces and the ‘Diana Bag’ to iconic looks worn by Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Elton John, Liz Hurley and George Michael. It is like walking through the glossy pages of 1990s’ fashion history.
Co-curator Saskia Lubnow, dressed head-to-toe in classic Versace print with her young daughter, revealed the show will tour to Paris next, but London is the only stop where you’ll see all the celebrity looks together.
One notable absence: the original safety pin dress worn by Liz Hurley in 1994 – the unforgettable moment that catapulted her to global fame at the premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral. A similar version is displayed, but not the actual dress that made fashion headlines.
If you’re fascinated by how fashion intersects with fame and pop culture this exhibition is perfect. It is a love letter to Gianni Versace, and London is the perfect place to receive it.
Arches London Bridge, 8 Bermondsey St, London, SE1 2ER until March 1st.
Booking and full details: https://archeslondonbridge.co.uk/
