Donatella Versace wove a powerful spell on her Atelier Versace runway, borne, perhaps out of her newfound confidence as a designer. The peace she has made with Gianni’s death is signaled in her bold confections that rippled and danced across a glitzy runway at the Ritz Hotel in Paris. Her past show was a return to Gianni’s fabled aesthetics, but this time around she’s stepped out of his shadow to flaunt her own work while staying true to the brand’s DNA. The show opens with a short, sexy trench, which is given a stunning finish by a wide leather belt in matching ivory. From there, Versace spins an audacious fairytale replete with frothy skirts, plunging necklines, thigh-high slit gowns, and dazzling corset frocks. Tarot card prints transmitted a slight undertone of the occult, which is in keeping with the mesmerizing quality of these couture pieces. With ardent celebrity fans dotting the front row, and a post-show disco party that raged into the night, it’s clear that Versace has planted their stake in the glamorous, competitive world inhabited by 24-hour party people and provocateurs.

written by GRACE GORDON|photos: courtesy of Getty Images and GoRunway