Donatella Versace

>> Versace Layoffs Coming to Help House Gain Back Profitability —Ever since former Versace CEO Giancarlo di Risio left the brand in June after clashing repeatedly with Donatella Versace, repositioning has been the order.  Versace announced earlier this month that it would close all stores in Japan, and now comes news that the brand will cut 350 jobs worldwide by the middle of next year after forecasting a loss in 2009 and a flat 2010.  The layoffs aim to help the house ensure profitability by 2011. [WWD]

Donatella Versace gathered some friends from the fashion and art worlds in NYC last night for the Whitney Museum Gala. First up was a star-studded dinner, where Taylor Momsen and Mischa Barton mingled with Shakira and Jennifer Hudson. The festivities then moved downstairs for the afterparty, with Lindsay Lohan turning up to make a cameo. We had a quick chat with the newly-minted artistic adviser, who said she was there "for Donatella" — and the duo certainly looked close as they posed for photos. Lindsay said she arrived late for the bash due to her travels, but that she'd be sticking around the city to handle "personal business." LL apparently even opened up later about her rumored hookup with Balthazar Getty, telling Gossip Cop that she'd never do that to Samantha Ronson.

LL managed to avoid any run-ins with Samantha's family as she narrowly avoided Charlotte Ronson. Donatella was truly the woman of the evening as she hung out with Lindsay, Mischa and Shakira and they all checked out a DJ set from Gossip Girl Taylor Momsen.

To see more from the bash, including Charlotte Ronson and Lake Bell, just read more

Rachel Bilson continued making the rounds at Milan Fashion Week last night, getting decked out in black for the amfAR charity dinner. She was joined by Dita Von Teese and Janet Jackson, who posed for photos on the arm of pal Donatella Versace. Kanye West and Amber Rose made one of their first public outings since his VMA debacle earlier this month, with both of them looking as into PDAs as ever with her new lip ring to top it all off. Make sure to check in with all the hot fashions on the Milan runways before things kick off in Paris tomorrow.

More photos of the amfAR event, so read more

Kate Moss led the partying for London Fashion Week over the weekend, but yesterday it was Sienna Miller's turn to shine. Sienna headed home to England after debuting her Broadway play After Miss Julie on Saturday in order to be there for her Twenty8Twelve show. She joined her sister Savannah and a canine companion for photos before the presentation, which brought out heavy hitters like Anna Wintour. Sienna and Anna are buddy-buddy after their work together promoting The September Issue, so perhaps the Miller sisters can look forward to some upcoming support in the pages of Vogue.

To see more from the shows, including Agyness Deyn and Donatella Versace, just read more

>> Versus, the young Versace line originally launched in 1989 and designed by Donatella Versace under her brother Gianni's supervision before it was discontinued in 2005, is being revived — no surprises here, considering that Donatella said in March of the line: "It was the first collection that my brother Gianni let me work on, on my own, so it's very precious to me."

She asked Christopher Kane to produce a capsule collection of crystal-studded Versus shoes and bags, which was rolled out in February, and for Spring 2010, the brand is on track for a full-fledged "dynamic presentation" of Versus ready-to-wear during Milan Fashion Week, according to a spokeswoman.

The line, which targets "Young Hollywood," or women between 20 and 30, is currently being sold in the new Versus showroom in Milan. “It’s very rock ’n’ roll and sexy,” Donatella Versace told WWD. “The collection reflects Versus’ DNA and is aimed at young people who want to dress with their own style but like to evolve and break new ground.”

>> Donatella Versace Admits She Loves Playing the Diva — Christopher Kane, in the midst of interviewing Donatella Versace, asks her if she enjoys the celebrity-driven aspect of fashion: "It’s a love-hate relationship. I would definitely prefer not to be obliged to attend certain events and parties, but I must . . . On the other hand, I have to admit that I do actually enjoy acting up to the 'diva' role that I have been allotted: after all, I am a bit of a diva, aren’t I?" [Times UK]

>> First Look: Atelier Versace Fall 2009 —Donatella Versace showed her Fall 2009 Atelier Versace couture collection by private appointment during couture week in July — and Style.com's Derek Blasberg reported of the line's latest edition: "[It's] all focused on the (super tiny) waist, handmade beadery. Really fancy that big blue one, a steal at 100k EUROS."  Last night, Diane Kruger wore a Fall 2009 Atelier Versace dress to the Los Angeles premiere of Inglourious Basterds, giving us a first glimpse of the collection; Versace's sketch of the dress is at Red Carpet Fashion Awards. [Red Carpet Fashion Awards]