Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

Never Is the Next New Thing

Nomi Malone Loves Versace Too

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Some fashionistas assume Versace always looks like the purple dress below, complete with scary, too-tan makeup. No, there was no time to start over. I had to go out with an orange face and white arms. Shit happens! Get over it. Sometimes peeps have armgina, sometimes they have bad makeup.

Orange you glad to see me?

Anyway, over ten years or so, I have accumulated many Versace pieces that no one suspects of being Versace. Be honest now. Would you know my strapless navy-blue cocktail dress was by Donatella?

Please note the beauteous leopard pillow in the background. Woot!

I’ve gotten a lot of wear out of this Pucci-esque dress.

I stealthily attended a Pucci-sponsored party in this Versace.

This Champagne-colored vintage gown went to several lovely parties. However, it needed a few adjustments and I went to a bad tailor who adjusted it so it didn’t fit me. The dress is now on consignment at Frock awaiting someone who is very petite on top. And for tailoring, I ONLY go to Jean at Ghost Tailor now. She knows how to do things right.

Nice photo composition here, eh?
Avedon would be jealous.

I wore this red dress to a random party in London last year. I was very happy with the whole look.

I think I peaked that night. It’s been all downhill ever since.

I was so sick of flouncy dresses by the end of last summer. I was desperate to wear a suit, and I wore this white Versace suit the day after Labor Day. What a rebel!

The frothy black top is Versace too.

People either love this hairy purple jacket or they hate it. There is no in-between. I love it.

Me and BarbaraB.

Here I am with my friend Andrea. She’s going to write a book someday.

Please forgive me, Patrick McMullan.
This is the only photo I can find of my checked dress.

I thought this was a Lacroix when I first saw it.

The vintage Versace worn this New Year’s Eve.

Okay. Maybe you’d guess that the commando pants are Versace.

Gray pants are all business from the front, all Donatella from the side.

But this little black dress? You would never know, right?

Just goes to show that you can’t always judge a line by its runway!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. You rawked the fringe gurl! Love it on you!

    You have amazing collection, tho I’ve to say I like the Pucci-esque, red and Little Bo Peep dresses the most. I’m in love with the purple jacket. Cushion’s from Versace too?

    I’m the petite on top person, there’s no one petiter than me *hint hint*

  4. thanks for sharing the collection- it makes me want to start hunting ebay! love the glen plaid shift!

  5. Wow, Wendy, what an incredible designer collection. The dresses are fabulous and I particularly like the trouser suit – tres chic!

  6. Yay, the promised Wendy-Versace shhot at last! It’s amazing how easily I used to stereotype Versace, and how easily one can forget that their cutting (and not just their cutting-away) is superlative. Thanks for this lot!

  7. You make Versave look classy and that is not always easy to do. And, your pillow looks good with your lamp 😉

  13. Do you look bad in anything? Good grief, girl, you have got the cutest little figure!

    Love that red dress. I can’t wear red, so I really appreciate someone who does it justice (or in your case, more than).

    Do you remember an article (maybe in Allure) about someone who spent a day or so being Donatella’ed, by Donatella? Hysterical.

  18. love your versace dresses! you look aesome in everyone of them!!! we also used to have those leopard print cushions on our sofa too, they’re super squishy.

  20. Well, that post had more style than I can ever hope to have. I might as well put on some parachute pants and a half-shirt, because I am a goddamned hobo.

  21. Uncle.

    I thought Versace was naff until the AW ’07 collection, and now I see I was wrong. Thanks for posting all these great photos!

  22. This is such a great post! All the dresses are fabulous but you’re right, most weren’t Versace-esque.

  23. Wow! Usually I don’t spend too much time looking at Versace’s collections because I just assume they’re not my style. But you proved me wrong. You’re Versace collection is sexy and elegant.

  24. wow you look GORG in these pictures! and you have a fab collection! i love love the PUCCI dress!

  26. Suzanna, I would love to be Donatella’d by Donatella, that would be so much fun.
    Thank you for your kind words, other peeps. Except for PAD. Giving me that image was not kind.
    But I’m glad that I’ve given some of you a new perspective on Versace!

  27. wow what a collection! my collection of “motherhood maternity” is not quite so extensive. damn i want to be you!!!

    now i see why you kicked suze out on her nosey arse!

  28. Whoa! I love love love the jeans with the lace. Holy crap I’m starting to feel D.I.Y all of a sudden…

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