Donatella Versace: 'Fashion Has Never Been As Exciting As It Is Today'

Donatella Versace says "change is happening," in the fashion industry, "whether people like it or not". Photo: Getty Images

Despite many fearing the recent changes to fashion week, and fearing for the future of the industry, Donatella Versace says she thinks what's happening is great.

"Right now in fashion, the future is all anyone can talk about. The internet and social media have changed everything. The old systems are collapsing. For many people, they find it terrifying," the designer told WWD.

"They want everything in fashion to stay the same, as if smartphones had never been invented. I am the opposite. I cannot remember a time when fashion has been as exciting as it is today."

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While major fashion houses including Burberry and Tom Ford have recently announced changes to their current fashion-show models, moving to a see-now-buy-now model to cater for the influx of social media and the demand for product to be available immediately.

These changes have many fearful for the future of the industry and the relevance of fashion shows, however Versace have been embracing this model since 2014 through their Versus label, which is available to customers immediately.

"The new generation who have grown up with the internet doesn't understand why it should wait six months before it can buy what it sees online," she added.

Donatella with model-of-the-moment Gigi Hadid who fronted Versace's Spring 2016 campaign. Photo: Getty Images

"For me as a designer it's amazing - I love to see people react so immediately to my work. Change is happening, whether people like it or not. Seeing the passion that young people have for Versace is one of the biggest pleasures of my career."

The 60-year-old designer is yet to reveal whether the main Versace shows will move to the new model, but for now she says she's not afraid to move with the times.

"When people say fashion is moving too fast. I think we have to move faster and plan the future together."