Atelier Versace @ The 2022 Met Gala

Atelier Versace dressed Gabrielle Union-Wade, Dwyane Wade, Cardi B, Olivia Rodrigo, Emily Ratajkowski, Gigi Hadid, Lena Waithe, Lily James and Cole Sprouse for the 2022 Met Gala held in New York City on Monday (May 2).

Every year I am most excited about the Atelier Versace looks, and Donatella Versace and her team didn’t let us down.

Gabrielle Union-Wade’s custom Atelier Versace gown has a lot more to it than meets the eye.

The platinum gown is a beautiful tribute to the changing roles of women and the emerging Black activism which occurred during the Gilded Age.

The embroidered red flower pays direct homage to a gown worn by Diahann Carroll—a women’s rights activist and first African-American woman to win a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.

I have goosebumps.

Dwyane Wade wore a custom Atelier Versace suit which was more of a contemporary reimagining of Gilded Age elegance.

Worn shirtless, the suit features the number 75 embroidered to the sleeve in celebration of former basketball stars selection to the NBA 75th anniversary team.

Versace think of everything.   The details make the hair stand up on the back of my neck.

Cardi B’s Atelier Versace illusion tulle column dress was embroidered a mile of golden metal chains was a high-voltage take on Gilded Age high-glamour.

Medusa medallions and the Versace Greca embellished in crystal decorate the chains, visually recalling coins in an abundance of glamour.

The intricate embroidery feature along her arms and neckline, with a hand-sculpted chain collar that plays into the traditional image of a Victorian coat ruff.

The full design seemingly gilds Cardi herself, a deserved indulgence for the artist whose debut album was certified gold on the exact day of its release on April 6, 2018.

This is the third time Cardi B has attended the Met Gala, and she 3 for 3 for me. She never misses at this event.

Olivia Rodrigo’s custom Atelier Versace dress was inspired by the Gilded Age’s reflection of opulence.

Between the embroidered metal crystal mesh in a spring lavender tone, and the drapery from the cowl neckline I was left in awe.

The intricate rear corset with crystalized boning against nude tulle, emphasising the era’s attention to enhancing the female form furthered Versace’s commitment to the theme.

The matchy elements sent me over the edge.

I have a feeling that Emily Ratajkowski’s archival Atelier Versace dress from the Spring-Summer 1992 collection won’t go down too well, but I’m here for the over-the-top Versace glamour.

I’m more enamoured by the metal bustier, which is enriched by Baroque leaves and multicolored resin stone details, as the floral and geometric printed skirt is crafted with golden tulle and beaded fringes giving me Victorian lampshade vibes.

I would rather her rock this, than an embellished column gown.

Gigi Hadid wore an Atelier Versace custom puffer coat worn over a corset catsuit, in a modern interpretation of coats from the late 1800s and a refresh of the Dollman silhouette for a new age of glamour.

I adore the jewel-toned burgundy hue, how the oversized quilted opera gave this look plenty of intrigue, and a dramatic train.

I’m sure many won’t be sold on the latex catsuit.

The corset and the over-exaggerated volume of the jacket confront each other in a decadent display of contrast inspired by the volume and dramatic change in womenswear silhouettes of late 1800s.

These looks are so much more interesting when the brand informs you of the inspiration.

Lena Waithe wore a custom Atelier Versace ensemble inspired by American Southwestern flair and turn-of-the-century men’s tailoring.

The jacket featuring an open back and narrow lapels is in reference to the style of late-1800s America while the crystal details reference to the glitz of the Gilded Age.

The look is completed with an embroidered tulle long-sleeve t-shirt with a see-through effect finishing.

Lena usually presents a very simple side to suiting, so I was excited to see so much from her on this occasion.

Lily James was of course on the Versace table.  

The British actress rocked a custom Atelier Versace dress that captured the unabashed glamour, excess, and aspirational elegance of the Gilded Age.

This is how you create a nude tulle illusion dress, as it looks like she’s draped in strings of pearls.

The pearls are in reference to the representation of royalty, decadence, and the gaining of new feminine freedoms during the Gilded Age.

Cole Sprouse channelled the excesses and stardom of the Gilded Age with his custom Atelier Versace outfit.

This suiting is modernised in a contemporary retelling of the changing suit aesthetic of the late 1800s.

A slim-fit blazer in silver duchesse is accompanied by a metal mesh tank top—a style in reference to the top worn by iconic musician Prince in a Versace photoshoot of the 1990s.

This was a fun play on a turn-of-the-century three-piece suit, with a gilet finished with embroidered paillettes and crystals, which also feature as side bands along the length of the tailored tuxedo pants.

Of course Cole nailed it.  I expected nothing less. 

Credit: Getty & Catwalking

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