After three years at the helm of Versace's sister line, it has been announced that Christopher Kane is parting ways with Versus. "I am so grateful to Donatella Versace for her support and the incredible opportunities she has given me," Christopher told WWD. "I respect her enormously and have learned so much from her. I have loved and appreciated working with her and will always be indebted to her. I am excited about the new Versus strategy, but the time has come to dedicate all my focus to the future of the Christopher Kane label."
Scottish designer Christopher joined forces with the brand in 2009, helping to relaunch the sister label after a four-year hiatus. And the brand's chief executive officer Gian Giacomo Ferraris said that his departure is "a logical decision for everyone" and "consistent with Christopher's own strategies when he first accepted to work on Versus". His split from the brand coincides with speculation that he is set to succeed Nicolas Ghesquiere as creative director of Balenciaga, but Christopher was quick to deny the reports. "Rumours surrounding Christopher Kane's appointment as creative director of Balenciaga are unfounded," said his spokesperson. A representative on behalf of Balenciaga declined to comment. Meanwhile, Versace are no doubt busy helping pop sensation Lady Gaga, who is currently in the South American leg of the Born This Way tour, give the next leg of her world tour a very fashionable overhaul.
"THE BORN THIS WAY BALL is getting a face-lift for America," she tweeted last week. "I heard rumors @VERSACE IS CUSTOM DESIGNING ALL THE CLOTHES AND NEW LOOKS." The superstar seems to have already dropped some hints about the collaboration, having sported various vintage Versace outfits recently. Most notably was the safety pin creation Elizabeth Hurley made famous. And she was spotted hanging out with Donatella Versace, the brand's creative director, in Italy. Lady Gaga, who is proud to be a New York Italian girl, was thrilled to hang out with Italian fashion heroine Donatella Versace in Milan. The quirky pop singer – real name Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta – was clearly in her element as she joined the platinum-haired designer at the Versace headquarters, dressed head to toe in her new BFF's designs. She showed off her new curvier figure in a series of outfits, including a striking orange dress with a revealing bandage upper section and an ensemble featuring a bejewelled top. The 26-year-old switched her hair colour too – from shiny blonde in the same shade as Donatella's, to brunette.