The Atelier Versace Spring 2017 Haute Couture collection is inspired by the beauty of transformation with four themes that shine light on the extraordinary work of the Atelier, with each piece standing alone as a perfect creation.

“This collection is about the pure power of Atelier Versace, and the beautiful transformation of a woman when she puts an her Atelier Versace creation,” said Donatella Versace.

The collection is inspired by the “chimera” of the Middle Ages, animals transform in a fantasy turned real: reptiles into mammals, snakes into creatures of flight. Colours are muted – nude, grey, gunmetal – to focus attention on the handcraft itself.

Both knotted by hand in crystal mesh and silk chiffon, or trompe l’oeil knot embroideries, the knots evolve around the silhouette, preciously caging and releasing the body. Hand-woven cords of Swarovski crystal are then knotted by hand to create a cap-sleeve mini-dress like a jewel.

The collection features pleated fabric that changes like waves around the body, from eloquent hold to dramatic volume and silhouettes. The dramatic degrade tulle pleats contour the body, revealing the cage beneath. A pleat minidress is nonchalantly tied on the body, a crossover of pleated silk double organza with crystal embroideries that wraps and reveals the body beneath.

Metal mesh transforms into crystals, or takes on another dimension with fluid liquid draping. Vintage rose metal mesh gracefully drapes the body in a sleeveless column dress, its assymetric flow transforming into an assymetric net of crystals as it follows the body down.