By Stanley Lui

The Fall/Winter 2012/2013 season’s Atelier Versace collection is established on the concept of deconstruction and reconstruction in all its multiple forms and functions.

Despite it being the Fall/Winter season, Donatella Versace has instead put out a sensuous collection of maxi and mini couture dresses.

Opened by rising model star Lindsey Wixson, the collection is inspired by the vivid imagery and coloured decoration of Tarot cards.

Incorporating the powerful symbols of the Tarot such as the sun, moon and the world, Versace reproduced these motifs on the weightless fabrics to create a floaty and yet flamboyant glass-like effect to the flirty dresses.

This, while other symbols such as the Stars, the Lovers and Good Fortune appear as three-dimensional embroidery on the metal studded belts and hand-cut pieces of plastic.

The Roman Numerals on the belt complete the meanings behind these tarot cards symbols pointing towards positivity as well as the strength of the modern Versace woman.

In order to give these elements an abstract look and feel, they have been rendered and embroidered into the fabrics as though interpreted through the eyes of the famous artist Pablo Picasso.

This is then further enhanced through the way the double silk is printed and layered with transparent plastic and sliced into thin strips to re-construct the weaving patterns on the bodices.

Little buckles in rose gold are then added onto these strips to hold them together in a dramatic and decorative display.

Adding to the shine are the beaded patches of silicone, pearl and crystal mesh woven together through the intricate sewing techniques that include the use of luxurious silk lacing in chiffon and hand-cut leather to create the mini hexagonal patterns. Playing on the iridescent light, these patches help reflect the underlying tones of rainbow colors that transiting from one dress to the other.

Topping it off in true Versace glamour, Donatella accessorized the dresses with very chunky Baroque rings from the Atelier Jewellery collection which are crafted in gold and platinum; embellished with precious stones such as yellow diamonds, topazes and emeralds.