Bal Harbour

SINCE VERSACE WAS FOUNDED IN 1978, the iconic Italian label has always set the trend. And now, Donatella Versace is back with a mission that goes far beyond fashion: sustainability. "There are no more excuses not to be aware or to act upon the issues affecting our society," explains the designer, who stunned the industry this year by announcing the brand's leading-edge commitment to eco-friendly fashion. The move comes after years of "undercover" research, Versace says, and along with a company-wide audit and commitment to sustainable materials, the brand has launched a new architecture initiative, to be unveiled at their Bal Harbour concept store this fall. Created by French designer Gwenael Nicolas of Tokyo-based firm Curiosity, it's the label's first store designed with LEED certification in mind, and a symbol of Versace's new commitment to disrupting the environmental impact of luxury. "Fashion is a mirror of the society we live in and it cannot turn a blind eye to social issues, especially when they have such a huge impact on everything around us," says Versace, who also debuted the concept at the brand's new London flagship. "I think it is our duty to leave a better future for the next generations. We must preserve the environment and guarantee a balanced ecosystem—especially considering that today we have the technology and the creativity to do so." A case study in responsible design, the energy-efficient space (energy use is one of the main impacts of retail, Nicolas explains) is crafted largely of natural and recycled materials including FSC-certified wood and eco-friendly glass mosaic tiles. The concept isn't just about creating a light environmental footprint, though; it's also key to a healthier environment for the people inside the store, thanks to benefits like improved air quality. That's not to say the space sacrifices style. Nicolas's imaginative interior is meant to surprise and inspire, with a web of bronze strings for display pieces like museum masterpieces—a nod to the label's engagement with the arts—as light and shadow play under a floating brass ceiling. The new store comes as part of a blockbuster anniversary year that saw the designer lauded with the Fashion Icon Award from the British Fashion Council, the CFDA International Award, and the honor of co-chairing the Met Ball, fashion's most important night of the year. But Versace isn't one to rest on her laurels. In fact, she's embarking on a new chapter. "My life has been a roller coaster of emotions, and I think I have recently experienced a change inside of me," the designer says. "In a way, I feel I have become more confident and that I have finally found my own voice." Using that voice to advocate for a better future, the redesigned Bal Harbour shop is a perfect fit for Miami, a city that, like the brand, celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and the beauty of nature. "It's proof that if you start with sustainability in mind, you can do whatever you did before," Versace says, "but better." 176 BAL HARBOUR On the 40th anniversary of Versace, Donatella explains how the brand's new Bal Harbour boutique embodies her vision for the future of fashion. BY HEATHER CORCORAN COURTESY OF VERSACE SUSTAINABLY CHIC

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