On Wednesday night, the cameras convened on the Versace boutique in Beverly Hills for the unveiling of the plaque installed on the Walk of Style, Rodeo Drive’s version of Hollywood’s Walk of the Stars. The big event came the next evening at Beverly Hills City Hall. The site was chosen for the occasion to avoid the need to tent Rodeo Drive, where the party is usually held, against iffy winter weather. (Typically hosted later in the month or in March, the event was moved up this year to accommodate Donatella’s schedule.)

The Versaces are known for hosting Hollywood celebrities at Villa Fontanelle, the Lake Como manse that Donatella now occupies, so City Hall was transformed into Lake Como West. Organizers flew in mimosas in from Liguria, Italy, to create Mediterranean gardens and embellish chandeliers inside the “conservatory” tent leading to the main room. More than 150 rare twinkle-light orchids, also imported from Italy, decorated the black-and-white interior that resembled a supper club. Embossed leather furniture from the new Versace Home Couture collection provided seating on either side of the room. Some 600 guests sipped Oronoco V rum cocktails and grazed on Along Came Mary’s classic Italian dishes of roasted baquetta, winter squash risotto, and baby lamb chops.

The Versaces’ celebrity pals made a strong turnout, with Rupert Everett, Sharon Stone, and Demi Moore acting as hosts and presenters and Brooke Shields, Jennifer Lopez, Prince, and Penelope Cruz arriving as guests. Stone charmed the crowd with her best Donatella imitation as she auctioned off a Lamborghini Murcielago LP 640, which Versace designed, for $500,000. She then invited the flush winning bidder onstage for some high-profile flirting. Elton John accepted the award on behalf of his close friend Gianni and performed a heartfelt set of his early songs, including “Rocket Man.” Then Donatella declared her rock ’n’ roll roots as she introduced a performance by Axl Rose. The last guests trickled out around midnight, carrying Versace sunglasses or amber crystal wine coasters.

—Irene Lacher


Posted 02.15.07

Photos: Nadine Froger Photography