Yahoo Lifestyle Donatella Versace Attends King Charles' Black-Tie Dinner in Sexy Gown Covered in 1,500 Crystals (Exclusive)
The fashion designer wore a design that took 500 hours to hand-craft for a special evening ahead of King Charles and Queen Camilla's state visit to Italy later this year
Finnbarr Webster / POOL / AFP;Atelier Versace
Donatella Versace poses during a dinner hosted by Britain's King Charles III celebrating the values of Slow Food and Slow Fashion at Highgrove House in Tetbury western England on February 7, 2025.Donatella Versace's look for a formal black-tie dinner hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla was signature Versace.
The Italian fashion designer, 69, glammed up for an evening with British royalty at Highgrove House on Friday, Feb. 7, to mark the couple's upcoming state visit to Italy later this year.
Prince Charles and Camilla are set to travel to Italy in April, where they will meet with Pope Francis, engage with Italian leaders, and carry out official duties in Rome and Ravenna. Buckingham Palace confirmed that the trip will coincide with the couple’s 20th wedding anniversary on April 9.
Versace, who was invited for her immense contributions to Italy and Italian culture, spanning the arts, fashion and philanthropy, wore a breathtaking Atelier Versace column gown for the event. She has helmed the iconic fashion house since 1997.
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Donatella Versace attends a dinner with Prince Charles and Queen Camilla at England's Highgrove Gardens on Feb. 7, 2025Per exclusive details shared with PEOPLE, her blush pink design was made with the house's signature bustier silhouette, which features "a series of boning" that achieves a figure-hugging fit "like second skin."
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It was also crafted from hand-pleated silk chiffon, seen on the keyhole bustier, and over 40 meters of silk woven in Italy's Como region, which holds a history of couture silk-making. Around 1,500 Swarovski crystals in tones of clear and rosalin or rose were applied to pleating arranged in a degradé effect.
Atelier Versace
Sketch of Donatella Versace's gown at formal black-tie dinner hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla on Feb. 7.With a curve-hugging silhouette on top, the dress was made fluid and effortless through a series of material drapes. All in all, Versace's gown required the work of five Atelier artisans and 500 hours of hand-crafting and embroidering.
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The event at Highgrove will also be attended by American actor Stanley Tucci, who is of Italian descent, and the Italian ambassador to the UK, Inigo Lambertini, and is expected to offer a meaningful glimpse into the strong connection between the British monarchy and Italy.
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The event promises to highlight Italian culture, with a menu prepared by renowned chef Francesco Mazzei, focusing on traditional “slow food” dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Alessandro Palazzi, an expert mixologist, will serve drinks infused with Italian flavors and herbs grown at Highgrove.
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