LACED DEBUT: It looks like fashion enthusiasts won’t have to wait until next year to get a taste of what Pieter Mulier is cooking up at Versace.
The designer unexpectedly debuted his first Atelier Versace look, with a little help from Nicole Kidman.
As part of her tour to present the “Practical Magic 2” movie, the actress stepped onto the red carpet of the Los Angeles premiere of the film on Monday in an Atelier Versace asymmetrical gown, entirely rendered in hand-intarsia lace and defined by a deep, rounded neckline finished off in black satin ribbon. A matching choker, Manolo Blahnik’s “Milandra” pumps, and a wavy mane of hair completed the look.
On Tuesday morning, Mulier himself shared an image of Kidman wearing the dress, as well as close-ups of the gown, via Instagram Stories.
Pieter Mulier‘s first Atelier Versace look, as posted by the designer in his Instagram stories.
@pieter_mulier
The Belgian talent is the latest in a string of designers who have opted to tease their vision at a new fashion house through red carpet appearances ahead of the official reveal on the catwalk. For one, last year Mulier’s predecessor Dario Vitale offered the first glimpse of his one-season tenure at the house by dressing Julia Roberts at the Venice Film Festival in a navy blazer layered over a striped button-down paired with dark-wash denim. At the time, the pared-back outfit went viral when two days later Amanda Seyfried appeared wearing the same Versace look at a separate photo call.
Overall, the strategy of relying on red carpet debuts has different implications, ranging from leveraging visibility by partnering with renowned names of the entertainment industry and generating buzz to taking a little pressure off a new creative director’s shoulders and tempering the high expectations often linked to inaugural runway shows, as it provides a way to test the waters and get a sense of the sentiment on social media ahead of presenting a full-fledged collection.
Pieter Mulier’s first Atelier Versace look, as posted by the designer in his Instagram stories.
@pieter_mulier
In the case of Kidman’s latest outing, the move still provides little insight into the direction Mulier will embrace at the Medusa fashion house, which he officially joined on July 1. In his new role, the former Maison Alaïa creative director faces the tough task of returning the storied Italian brand now controlled by Prada Group to growth — and relevance.
