Naomi Campbell, timeless and elegant, and one of the original six in the industry to be declared "supermodels" in the late 1980s and 1990s, shows she still has what it takes to command the runaway, and capture the undivided attention of the spectators with her sheer magnetism and stage presence, when she opened Haute Couture Week for Atelier Versace at the Ritz Carlton in Paris last Sunday night.
With her panther-like grace, the 43-year-old provided a show-stopping performance for Donatella Versace's Atelier Versace Fall/Winter 2013/2014 showcase.
For Naomi, it was her first Versace booking in fifteen years.
For Donatella, this was only her fourth Haute Couture Week showcase, having revived the Italian label's participation in July 2012, with the late Gianni Versace last featuring in July 1997.
And thus Versace laid down the gauntlet, and it was up to the rest of the Couture houses to step up to the challenge.
Seated in the front row were celebrities including Uma Thurman, who drew a collective gasp when they witnessed the age-defying British beauty do her recognizable strut, dressed in a strong-shouldered micro sequin black jacket, eyes covered in Swarovski crystals, held together with hooks to present a revealingly sexual look.
After the headliner opening by Naomi, the rest of Atelier Versace's collection upped the ante, with pieces that made bold provocative statements, from front panels of dresses draped with white crystals exposing the bustier to dresses embroidered with blue and black sequins, long and embellished with mermaid tails.
The collection was inspired by Hollywood movie costumes yet remain highly wearable. Accessories included black and white diamond cuffs and necklaces. Notable designs include a suit in dark silk cady with a low-waist silver chain belt whilst another was a black, figure-hugging cocktail dress with a turtleneck and a translucent tulle panel.
Frayed and shredded chiffon with shimmering crystal embroideries and silhouettes defined the dresses in the collection. Donatella has this to add,
I love that Hollywood era when every detail, hair, make-up and lighting, was considered and perfect. I wanted to bring them back in a new way
See the complete runway looks
