Versace Icons Spring 2023 Ad Campaign Review

Review of Versace Icons Spring 2023 Ad Campaign by Creative Director Donatella Versace and Photographers Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott with talent Anne Hathaway and Chris Lee

Versace teams with Hollywood royalty Anne Hathaway to embody the spirit of its new Icons collection. The actor is captured along with Chinese pop superstar Chris Lee by photographer duo Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott.

The Icons collection forms Donatella Versace’s take on the quietly growing trend of smaller season-less collections that focus on wearable, timeless pieces, offering longevity and beloved wardrobe staples over ephemeral trends. In an all-black color palette with signature gold hardware, the collection makes use of tailoring know-how to distill the Versace woman down to her core archetypes.

To me, the Versace Icons collection is timeless elegance with an edge. I’m so proud of these images which seem to represent Donatella’s vision of empowerment. What a thrill to be a Versace woman!
– Anne Hathaway

Shooting mostly in black and white, Mert and Marcus capture the unique sense of power and confidence embodied by their two leading ladies – a spirit that is emphasized by the way the silhouettes cut a razor-sharp figure against the crisp white studio backdrops.

In addition to having such a recognizable and commanding vision for her brand, another of Donatella Versace’s powerful creative assets is the way she is able to make such a personal connection with the women who embody that brand. From recently established brand ambassadors like Dua Lipa to longtime icons like Kristen McMenamy, Versace has made personal connections with an impressive roster of iconic women. With its great casting and simple focus on the house’s legendary design vocabulary, this campaign is a powerful celebration of that continuing legacy.