Set against the backdrop of Castello Sforzesco in the heart of Milan, Versace’s Spring Summer 2025 collection blended nostalgia with futurism. Indeed, Donatella Versace acknowledged that her Spring 1997 Versus collection served as inspiration even before the collection debuted. The first looks displayed pairings of floral and squiggly patterns, directly referencing those of the SS97 show. Silk skirts in brown and yellow, along with dresses and a pyjama set, appeared first. These were followed by soft yellow, lilac, blue, and brown prints on polo shirts and cardigans, each paired with baby blue blazers or Chesterfield coats.

Western-inspired pieces such as buttery caramel leather and suede were also presented, in the form of coats, pants and mini shorts. Three C-3PO-esque gold rectangular sequence pieces were intermingled. Among those pieces was a three-dimensional printed dress worn by Anok Yai, a statement to the technical innovations made in fashion and their impact on the industry.

As models crossed the four-way lightning-struck runway, the brown hue quickly turned to lilac, and then faded even quicker to a baby yellow. About midway through, a trompe l’œil paisley pattern debuted, mixing flames and reptiles on silk skirts and shirts, as well as pastel reiteration of the classic rococo Versace print. 

Versace then showed evening wear just as she did in 1997, with the final models gliding down in chainmail gowns and modern floral silk skirt sets. At the close, Versace resurged the sense of joy felt in 1997, this time with sequins and bias-cut paisley tops and skirts. This sure will be a summer of optimism! As Versace said, "we have never needed it more."