Is Versace Worth A Billion?

Versace has received the highest bid so far for a minority stake in the company from the state-backed investment fund, Fondo Strategico Italiano (FSI). The bid values the company at €1.1 billion (£900,000,000), more than 16 times the company's earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA).

There are several bids from private equity firms on the table, a source close to the deal told the Financial Times, all of which are being considered. FSI is considered to have a relatively passive nature, which sources say would suit the Versace family's structure and focus better than a more hands-on private investor.

Donatella Versace is expected to meet with interested parties this week, with the first round of bidding tabled for before Christmas. Donatella holds 20 per cent of the company's shares, while her daughter Allegra Beck owns 50 per cent.

Is Versace To Be Lady Gaga's Fashion Saviour?

Versace is giving no comment as yet as to the rumour that Lady Gaga will be the face of its spring/summer ad campaign.

It has been suggested that photography duo Mert & Marcus photographed the star while she was in London recently. There is no doubt that the spring/summer 2014 collection from the house, which showed off a tougher-than-usual, leather-clad biker girl that Donatella told us would "liberate" the Versace woman, might make a nice change for Gaga.

Having recently admitted that she uses fashion as a tool to deal with her "insanity", the singer's metallic mouth pieces, bruised make-up and wild fashion ideas seem to have been even more extraordinary than ever of late - but her friendship with Donatella, about whom she has written an entire song on her current ARTPOP album, might be just the comfort she needs. 

Versus Gets A Rap Makeover

London-born rapper M.I.A is the lastest name to team up with Versus, confirming recent rumours. The theme of the forthcoming collection is perhaps more surprising than news of the collaboration - the 19-piece range is inspired by Versace counterfeits. The label's most famous design, including medusa head and the greek frieze, have been mixed with "graphic prints and street energy."

"I adore the energy of the street, so when M.I.A proposed to expose the issue of collaboration inspired by these items, I thought it was an incredible idea," said Donatella Versace. "The collection represents all that I love of the new Versus Versace: it's fast, it's noisy, it's brazen and it blends the world of music with that of fashion. I can't wait to see it worn."

The collectioon - whice will be available from october 16 - will feature both men and womenswear, including T-shirts, printed jeans, silk skirts, jersey dresses and military-inspired outwear. M.I.A and Versace have long share a mutual love for one another - the Grammy Award-winning musician often wears the brand's creations, and has been seen on the front row at its shows.

"The theme of counterfeits, of those that produce and sell them has always been part of the culture of M.I.A," the rapper told WWD. "When I was contacted by Versace, it seemed a great idea to invert the circle. Versace's designs have always been copied, now its Versace that copies the copies, so those  that copy must copy the copies. So this will continue."

Donatella Vesace introduced a new chapter for Versus in November last year, announcing plans of a new initiative to bring in different designers to create one-off collections for the brand - the first of which was JW Anderson. M.I.A is, however, the first musician to be involved.