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Gigi and Bella Hadid rule the runway at Versus' London Fashion Week show

ersus Versace show, Backstage, Autumn Winter 2017, London Fashion Week, UK - 18 Feb 2017
Gigi Hadid backstage at the Versus Versace show. [Photo: Rex]

This evening, Versace’s sister line Versus returned to the London Fashion Week show schedule to debut its AW17 collection.

Last season, the Italian label ensured it hit headlines with a catwalk show that featured rising star Bella Hadid, while the model’s older sister Gigi sat on the front row with her former One Direction boyfriend Zayn Malik at her side.

But this season, Donatella Versace ensured her show was even more newsworthy. Gigi didn’t just sit on the sidelines and watch the proceedings; instead she got her game face on and modelled the new season’s ensembles herself.

I’m here with Gigi one of my favourite models as you all know ❤ my girl #VersusLive @gigihadid

A post shared by Donatella Versace (@donatella_versace) on Feb 18, 2017 at 11:35am PST

Models clad in shearling jackets, which, the brand stated, were given a “tech update”, sharp shapes and contrasting volumes filed out and walked around the sparse Kensington Olympia venue to a hardcore trance soundtrack featuring Kanye West, Beyonce and Prince.

Gigi was barely recognisable with her long locks obscuring half her face, and her eyes coated in layers of electric blue eyeshadow. Biker boots and a structured black dress, completed with the brand’s trademark zip detailing, finished the look.

Gigi’s younger sister Bella also worked in the show – and closed it. [Photo: Getty]
Gigi’s younger sister Bella also worked in the show – and closed it. [Photo: Getty]

Gigi wasn’t the only Hadid sister to take to the runway. Bella also walked in the show – and closed it – wearing a fluffy, long-sleeved crop top and a latex midi skirt slit to the thigh at both sides.

Her other look was a cropped shearling jacket paired with wide-leg trousers and a chunky leather belt.

<i>Versus re-used old 90s lookbook images [Photo: Getty]</i>
Versus re-used old 90s lookbook images [Photo: Getty]

In addition to cropped clothing, leather and zips, the collection played around with prints, creating a new pattern from torn-up and over-painted iconic Versus imagery taken from the label’s 90s lookbooks. The images, shot by Bruce Weber, were splashed onto nylon and Versace’s iconic metal mesh.

<i>The bright blue was taken from corner shop carrier bags [Photo: Getty]</i>
The bright blue was taken from corner shop carrier bags [Photo: Getty]

Designs were mainly black-centric but a bright blue popped up throughout on fuzzy jumpers. This particular shade wasn’t taken from any highbrow reference. Instead, Donatella copied the hue from the cheap plastic bags given out at your local corner shop.

Logomania is still going strong with the Versus name branded onto the front of ribboned dresses and across sports socks. Lightning bolts also became a signature icon, used in the place of zips and as earrings.

Next generation! Love @lottiemossxo

A post shared by Donatella Versace (@donatella_versace) on Feb 18, 2017 at 1:12pm PST

Backstage with @iamwill @kim_turnbull #roccoritchie #VersusLive

A post shared by Donatella Versace (@donatella_versace) on Feb 18, 2017 at 1:37pm PST

The FROW was equally starry and filled with an assortment of models, musicians and fashionistas.

Kate Moss’ younger sister Lottie, Daisy Lowe, model Jourdan Dunn, Tinie Tempah, Ellie Goulding and Will.I.Am were among the A-listers who watched the show.

Every famous face on the AW17 Fashion Week front rows

Live from London Fashion Week AW17: All the catwalk and FROW action