Bella Hadid swaps praise with Donatella Versace after fashion shake up
DUBAI: US Dutch Palestinian supermodel Bella Hadid shared praise for Italian fashion icon Donatella Versace on Saturday, days after the latter announced she will be stepping down as the creative director of the Italian luxury fashion house founded by her late brother Gianni Versace.
For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @arabnews.lifestyle
'Donatella era … will live on for infinity,' Hadid posted on Instagram alongside a carousel of images of her various shoots for the storied fashion house.
A post shared by Bella (@bellahadid)
'Our time together will be memories I am buried with. The first time I truly felt beautiful in our industry … thank you for being fashion mother to us all, for making us feel loved, beautiful, unique, sexy, happy,' she added.
Versace replied with her own message for the model, who has starred in campaigns for Versace and has hit the runway for the luxury label on numerous occasions.
'Bella, your words truly mean the world to me. You are beautiful inside and out with a heart made of Versace gold. I love you so, so much. Thank you for always being there for me. With love, Donatella Versace,' she wrote in the comments section.
The designer will assume the new role of chief brand ambassador, Versace's US owner Capri Holdings announced on Thursday.
Versace will be replaced by Dario Vitale, who most recently was design director at the Miu Miu brand owned by the Prada Group. His appointment is effective on April 1, the Associated Press reported.
Versace, 69, welcomed Vitale, emphasizing in a statement that 'championing the next generation of designers has always been important to me,'' while Vitale, 41, thanked Versace for "her trust in me.'
Versace was thrust into the role of creative director in 1997 after her brother's murder in Miami, at first tentatively and then with a boldness that led to some big runway and red carpet moments.
The creative shift comes amid speculation that the Prada Group is in talks to buy Versace from Capri Holdings, which paid 2 billion euros (currently $2.2 billion) for the fashion house in 2018. The U.S. group also owns Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo, AP reported.
Miuccia Prada acknowledged interest in the brand on the sidelines of Milan Fashion Week last month, while Versace made no comment at what was to be her last runway show.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
04-06-2025
- Saudi Gazette
Teen TikTok star shot dead after man broke into her home
ISLAMABAD — A 22-year-old man has been arrested in Pakistan and confessed to the murder of 17-year-old social media influencer Sana Yousaf, according to police. Authorities say they believe Umar Hayat murdered Ms Yousaf at her home in Islamabad on Monday after she rejected what they called his "offers of friendship". He allegedly also repeatedly tried and failed, to meet her. They say he broke into her home, fired two shots, stole her phone and fled. Ms Yousaf's father, Syed Yousaf Hassan, told the BBC she was his only daughter and was "very brave". Her family have gathered in Chitral, where Ms Yousaf has been buried. Yousaf said she had never mentioned Hayat, nor any threatening behavior, before she was killed. He said Ms Yousaf's aunt was at the family home when the suspect broke in, and that he had also threatened to shoot her before fleeing. Ms Yousaf died before she could be taken to the hospital. Police said the "brutal" murder caused "a wave of concern" across the country, and that there was "immense" pressure to find the killer. They raided locations across the capital and the province of Punjab and scanned footage from 113 CCTV cameras. The suspected murder weapon and Ms Yousaf's phone have since been recovered. Ms Yousaf already had a wide following in Pakistan, with half a million fans on Instagram before her death. Condolences have flooded her social media pages. Her TikTok account gained hundreds of thousands of followers overnight, and now stands at more than a million. Her last video on Instagram, posted last week, showed her surrounded by balloons and cutting a cake for her birthday. Given her high profile in Pakistan, news of Ms Yousaf's death spread quickly in local news media and on social media platforms. It's also ignited a fierce debate about women on social media. While many have shared their outrage at news of Ms Yousaf's death, there has also been backlash towards her work as an influencer. Digital rights advocacy group Bolo Bhi has been monitoring the online reaction, and its director Usama Khilji said such criticism had been coming from a small portion of mostly male internet users - some of whom have cited religious grounds. "They're asking why she was putting up all this content, and even suggesting the family should take down her Instagram and TikTok accounts because they add to her 'sins'," Mr Khilji explained. Dr Farzana Bari, a prominent human rights activist, argued the reaction is "misogynistic" and "patriarchal". She said Ms Yousaf had "her own voice", and that the discourse online is a reminder that social media has become a "very threatening place for female content creators" in Pakistan. The Inspector General of Police for Islamabad, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, said women who choose to become social media influencers "deserve our encouragement and support". He added Ms Yousaf's murder was "tragic". Dr Bari said authorities condemning the incident publicly was a positive sign that could lead to change. The arrested suspect is the son of a former public servant. He is from the town of Faisalabad, in the province of Punjab, according to police. — BBC
Leaders
02-06-2025
- Leaders
Aid Ship Sails to Gaza with Greta Thunberg on Board
Climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and 11 other activists are on their own way to Gaza Strip aboard a ship carrying humanitarian aid, according to Associated Press. The aid ship seeks to break 'Israel's siege' of the devastated territory, organizers said. Operated by activist group Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the ship headed on Sunday from the Sicilian port of Catania, in southern Italy. Greta Thunberg The activists said that they will try to reach the shores of Gaza and deliver some aids to Palestinians who are starving due to Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid. 'We are doing this because, no matter what odds we are against, we have to keep trying,' Thunberg said. Greta Thunberg and other activists The mission also seeks to raise 'international awareness' over the ongoing humanitarian crisis. 'Because the moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity. And no matter how dangerous this mission is, it's not even near as dangerous as the silence of the entire world in the face of the live-streamed genocide,' she added. Interestingly, 'Game of Thrones' actor Liam Cunningham and Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament who is of Palestinian descent joined the crew. Israel has previously banned Hassan from entering due to her obvious opposition to the Israeli war on Gaza. If the ship is not stopped, the activists will arrive in Gaza within 7 days. 'We are breaking the siege of Gaza by sea, but that's part of a broader strategy of mobilizations that will also attempt to break the siege by land,' said activist Thiago Avila. Related Topics: Italian Puglia Region Cuts Ties with Israel over Gaza Genocide Barcelona Severs Twin-City Ties with Tel Aviv over Gaza War Saudi FM Arrives in Jordan for Gaza Meeting Short link : Post Views: 131
Leaders
01-06-2025
- Leaders
From Gaza to Joy: Ms. Rachel and Rahaf's Inspiring Dance
In a world often shadowed by conflict and despair, a moment of pure joy and resilience recently captured millions of hearts. Rahaf Saad, a four-year-old Palestinian girl who lost her legs in an Israeli airstrike, danced with YouTube star Ms. Rachel. Their video, set to the tune of 'Wake up soon Wake up little bunnies! Hop little bunnies hop … Skip little bunnies skip skip skip Skip skip skip and stop Let's hop again!', has went viral, garnering millions of views, showcasing Rahaf's indomitable spirit and Ms. Rachel's unwavering support. Rahaf's Journey of Resilience Rahaf Saad, now four years old, lost her legs in an Israeli airstrike on her family home in September 2024. Despite her tragic circumstances, Rahaf's spirit remains unbroken. She traveled for treatment thanks to the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, but she still struggles with mobility. During her dance with Ms. Rachel, Rahaf often stumbled but always got back up, eager to continue. Ms. Rachel described Rahaf as 'so precious' and highlighted her resilience, stating, 'She would fall right on her face but then pop back up, wanting to hop like a bunny'. Rachel Griffin Accurso, known to millions as Ms. Rachel, has been a vocal advocate for children's rights and education. Her meeting with Rahaf was not just a dance but a powerful statement of solidarity. Ms. Rachel shared her emotional turmoil, saying, 'I can't help but think, what if my son and husband were over there, and I'm here with my little girl, losing her legs? And then, I'm thinking about the boys and she was saying they don't eat anymore and they are starving'. This encounter underscores the devastating impact of the conflict on innocent lives and the urgent need for humanitarian aid. The Power of Support and Resilience Ms. Rachel's advocacy extends beyond Rahaf. She has faced backlash for her support of Palestinian children but remains steadfast. 'It's a vivid reminder of how when children have what they need—like medical care, healthy food, and support—they are going to thrive and show such resilience,' she said. Her commitment to speaking out for children facing immeasurable suffering is a testament to her belief that 'it should be controversial to not say anything'. A Call to Action Rahaf's story is a poignant reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of compassion. As Ms. Rachel continues to advocate for children in Gaza, she calls on the world to pay attention and take action. 'When I saw pictures of Rahaf in Gaza on the hospital floor, I saw the devastating consequences of endless bombing and continuous violations of children's human rights,' she shared. Her words and actions inspire us all to stand up for the innocent and vulnerable. In conclusion, the dance between Rahaf and Ms. Rachel is more than a viral video; it is a symbol of hope and resilience. It reminds us of the power of compassion and the urgent need to support children affected by conflict. As Ms. Rachel aptly put it, 'It's sad that people try to make it controversial when you speak out for children that are facing immeasurable suffering'. Let us all be inspired by Rahaf's spirit and Ms. Rachel's advocacy to make a difference in the world. Short link : Post Views: 1
