Donatella Versace’s face transformation over the decades, and why she’s never believed in ‘totally natural women’
THE iconic fashion designer hasn’t just turned heads with her clothing designs – it’s also her everchanging face.
Donatella Versace is no stranger to cosmetic procedures and has opened up about her use of Botox, but has kept tight-lipped about other procedures she may have had done.
The Italian fashion designer and sister of the late Gianni Versace left fans stunned after attending Elton John‘s The Devil Wears Prada musical launch in London on Sunday night.
The 69-year-old wore a sheer embellished bronze mini dress with a black sweetheart neckline bodysuit underneath and shared snaps of the event on Instagram causing fans to comment on her new appearance.
One wrote: ‘The biggest upgrade in history.’
Another asked, ‘Did you find the Lindsay Lohan‘s doc, Donatella?’
“This is shocking not gonna lie,” proclaimed a third.
Donatella is looking younger and it’s not the first time the businesswoman has sparked rumours of plastic surgery.
Known for her platinum blonde extensions and false lashes it seems she’s spent the last 25 years experimenting with her looks and previously admitted to having work done.
“I’m not like this genetically,” she said at the Vogue Festival in 2013 but didn’t reveal exactly what procedures she has had done.
She also previously admitted to Botox saying it was ‘only on my face, not on my body, that’s the result of hard work.’
Donatella hasn’t gone into detail on her work but Dr. Aamer Khan, Co-founder of Harley Street Skin Clinic and leading cosmetic doctor told Fabulous: “I’ve followed the discussions surrounding Donatella Versace’s appearance over the years with keen interest.
“While she hasn’t openly shared details of the possible cosmetic procedures that have led to her transformation, many aesthetic experts have speculated that she has had several procedures based on the visible changes to her face.
“Donatella is a beautiful woman who like many women today may have had several and repeated aesthetic treatments.
“Her smooth and taut skin suggests the likelihood of multiple facelifts, the noticeable volume in her cheeks and lips point to dermal fillers while her wrinkle-free forehead hints at regular Botox treatments.
Her slightly pulled features are possible evidence of repeated facelifts.
Dr. Aamer Khan
“Her fuller lips are likely to be the result of lip augmentation, and her polished skin texture could be attributed to treatments like laser resurfacing or chemical peels.
“Not all commentary has been complimentary. Some people believe the results reflect an overuse of fillers, which may have contributed to a less natural appearance.
“Her slightly pulled features are possible evidence of repeated facelifts. Unfortunately, frequent and aggressive interventions can result in an exaggerated or artificial look.
“Donatella’s journey is a fascinating one because celebrity aesthetic choices often result in both admiration and criticism.
“While aesthetic choices are personal, such debates remind us of the importance of balanced approaches when seeking cosmetic treatments in order to achieve natural-looking results.”
Here. Fabulous looks at Doantella’s changing face over the decades and her plastic surgery secrets.
Early 1990s
The fashion designer’s current look is vastly different from her appearance when she hosted her first runway show for Versace in 1997.
Her image seems to have evolved as she took over the fashion house after her brother was murdered outside of his Miami Beach mansion in the same year.
Photos from the era capture Donatella’s natural beauty, showcasing her full lips and early signs of lines around her eyes while at the Fashion Awards in Madison Square just three months after the tragedy.
She looked natural and fresh faced as she wore a simple LBD with her signature platinum blonde hair.
1999 – 2002
Two years later, Donatella shifted her look by wearing fake tan, ditching her pale skin for a summer glow at the American Fashion Awards in 1999.
During 2000 Donatella went through her first divorce and two years later stepped out looking even more evolved.
At the time, Vicki Smith of Absolute Aesthetics suggested the star may have had regular fillers by then.
‘She may also have had more invasive procedures,’ Vicki added.
While attending the Gianni Versace fashion show for Milan in 2003 her face looked noticeably fuller but one thing that didn’t change was her long platinum locks.
I’m not like this genetically.
Donatella Versace
The Versace style is revealing and sensual, and Donatella maintains her figure to embody the brand she took the reigns of.
However, that doesn’t mean she always hits the gym as she previously admitted to Huffington Post that she fired a personal trainer who wouldn’t let her smoke.
2005-2008
Back in 2005, Donatella told Us Vogue she was battling with a cocain addiction for ‘the last 18 years’ and had checked herself into rehab.
She headed to Arizona for treatment and when she came back into the public eye later that year she had enhanced her looks again.
This time, the fashion designer stepped out with even plumper lips than usual and a deeper tan.
She wore an all black outfit while presenting her fall collection in 2005 which only attracted more attention to her glowing skin and platinum blonde hair.
The designer also admitted to having Botox, once saying, ‘I do not believe in totally natural women.’
In 2008 she attended fashion week with her daughter Allegra and again had changed her face with her lips less full and more fine lines around her mouth and eyes.
2011-2014
By 2011 many were left questioning how much work Donatella had done to her face.
Her skin appeared much smoother and firmer than it had, as Dr. Aamer Khan stated her pulled features could be a sign of multiple facelifts.
In 2014 she fuelled further plastic surgery rumours as she appeared to have wrinkle-free skin and a ‘glass like’ forehead, a sign of too much Botox.
I do not believe in totally natural women.
Donatella Versace
While appearing on the red carpet for Harper’s Bazaar ICONS celebration, Donatella sported a dark smoky eye and glossy lips with her signature platinum blonde hair.
2017-2023
In 2017 she switched up her hair sporting a full fringe with grungy makeup and an embellished gold dress.
The skin on her face looked smooth compared to her arms which showed normal signs of ageing.
Posing with Anne Hathaway in 2023 for the MET Gala Donatella looked sophisticated with Hollywood curls in her platinum air and a corset-style pink gown.
Her make-up looked much more delicate with pink hues on the eye and lips.
2024
On Sunday the fashionista showed up to the The Devil Wears Prada musical launch wearing an embellished copper gown and people were quick to spot how different she looked.
While Donatella has never admitted to plastic surgery, she has admitted to Botox numerous times – but it seems those days might be over.
It appears that she has ditched the Botox and embraced her natural appearance as her fine lines were clearly visible around the forehead, eyes and mouth.