Versace Leans into Feminine Empowerment

Italian fashion house Versace has launched a series of conversations around female empowerment called the Medusa Power Talks. The first instalment of Medusa Power Talks —a series of pre-recorded interviews—was released on the label’s social sites on March 30 and 31, and the second part is a live discussion that will take place on invitation-only social networking app Clubhouse.

Female empowerment is a cause that artistic director and vice-president Donatella Versace feels is more important than ever. Driven by her own unique experiences, she is determined to create space for other women and genderqueer people to discuss power and what it means for them in 2021.

“The archetype of a powerful person has changed forever. For me, to be powerful is above all, the freedom to express yourself as you are, without any fear. Power plays many roles in our everyday lives,” Donatella said. “With my amazing panel of friends, Medusa Power Talks will discuss, examine and no doubt argue, about what it means for us all to be powerful in 2021. I am passionate about offering a platform to voices that represent the future I want to see, and I can’t wait to hear their stories.”

The initial series of recorded interviews was with a wide range of speakers, including model and activist Precious Lee; non-binary model Indya Moore, model Irina Shayk, strategist and influencer Chelsea Miller, and of course, Donatella Versace herself.

Throughout her career, Donatella has long been recognised as a hero of gay rights and the LGBTQIA+ community, and she hopes that this series will help “create space for women and nonbinary folx to discuss the role power plays in navigating modern life, and the double standards they must often maneuver in moments of expressing power, or even in positions of authority.”

And she literally puts her money where her mouth is. Donatella ensured that a portion of sales made by the fashion house during the International Women’s Day weekend was donated to the Women’s Centre for Creative Work, an organisation in Los Angeles supporting art by women of colour, queer, trans, non-binary and other marginalised groups.

Medusa was chosen as the iconic face of the Medusa Power Talks series for two reasons. Her head, covered in serpents, is the logo of Versace—chosen by the founder Gianni Versace because of the Gorgon’s ability to transfix anyone who looked at her.

For Donatella, Medusa is the ultimate symbol of unapologetic female authority and power—fearless and bold—so the perfect frontwoman for this series.

Audio-based social media app Clubhouse, which was launched last year, is proving popular as a space for exclusive launches and events in the fashion world. Comparisons have been drawn between traditional fashion industry structures and the hierarchy of moderators, speakers and audience within Clubhouse.

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