Donatella Versace's guide to a glamorous life: 13 unforgettable quotes
There are few designers as instantly recognisable as Donatella Versace.
One of fashion's greatest survivors, she's had a varied and complicated life, having battled with drug addiction and with the loss of her beloved brother, Gianni Versace, who was murdered in 1997. She inherited the Versace business from him, turning it into the hugely successful fashion empire it is today. Defined by its glamorous, sexually-charged designs, Versace is a champion of female strength and empowerment.
With more life experience than most of us, Versace's musings and thoughts on the world are well worth reading.
Read her 13 most unforgettable quotes here:
Getty ImagesOn feminism:
"For a woman to have credibility, they have to work three times more than a man. I sit on the board of directors, I'm the only woman! And I dress some of the most powerful women in the world. So I think I'm a feminist. I show to women, you can do it."
Getty ImagesOn her life ethos:
"There's time to slow down, after you're dead."
Getty ImagesOn her late brother Gianni Versace:
"He was a genius, how could I even think of comparing myself to him? But others did. I have my own voice, and for the past two years I have no longer been in fear. I am happy with what I am doing, I believe in it."
Getty ImagesOn motherhood:
"Of course, [being a] mother is the first thing. I was travelling a lot when the children were little, but I made sure that the time I was spending with them was quality time."
Getty ImagesOn her image:
"Fashion is a weapon that you can use when you need it. I think my own look makes people think I'm tough but when they get to know me I'm very different. It's like armour that was useful to me in the first years after Gianni's death."
Getty ImagesOn what she looks for in a man:
"I find older men more attractive than boys. I need a man who can teach me a thing or two."
Getty ImagesOn glamour:
"I think glamour all the time. I wake up in the morning and I'm already thinking glamour."
Getty ImagesOn sex:
"Every woman likes sex. If they don't like it, they should go to a shrink! Sorry. I'm not talking about sex-shop dresses, but dresses that can help you look better than you are and more confident. It's about confidence. To be confident in yourself. Sexy clothes don't only express 'I want sex', but courage. 'This is me, this is my courage. You need to confront me'."
Getty ImagesOn being a survivor:
"In my life I had no other choice than to become a strong person."
Getty ImagesOn her platinum hair colour:
"I don't even know what my natural colour is. Natural? What is natural? What is that? I do not believe in totally natural for women. For me, natural has something to do with vegetables."
Getty ImagesOn high heels:
"I always wear high heels - I simply feel naked without them."
Getty ImagesOn what it takes to be a designer:
"You must have confidence in your ideas and your vision for your collection. It's no good being too easily swayed by people's opinions. You have to believe in yourself."
Getty ImagesOn reinvention:
"You have to renew yourself, because tomorrow is what matters in fashion. Today is already old."
