Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Unreleased Prince music played at Versace show for Milan Fashion Week

'I wanted to express my love and admiration for my friend who I miss so much,' Donatella Versace said of the decision

Clarisse Loughrey
Tuesday 21 June 2016 15:54 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

As fans await news of the fate of Prince's vault of unreleased music, Donatella Versace has shared a mix of never-before-heard music by the late artist.

The 11-minute track accompanied the Versace menswear presentation at Milan Fashion Week; a collection pulled from Versace's own personal archive of songs.

The two were "close friends" during his lifetime, with the musician sending her material as recently as five months ago; as the fashion designer told Billboard, "Prince was always writing and recording, even if it was just a late-night jam at Paisley Park. He had been sending me songs for years -- it was his way of communicating. Just hearing his voice again makes me smile."

Versace believes her use of material in the show is a way to, "express my love and admiration for my friend who I miss so much. Celebrating him and his music at my menswear show seemed like the best way."

The runway show also featured several purple pieces in its collection. "I love men who can dress beyond rules and codes," Versace stated. "Prince set his own rules and did what he wanted -- he wore high heels, showed his body, chose strong color, did whatever pleased him. He loved to play with fashion, to provoke and shock. I was in awe of him, always."


"Prince showed men how they could use clothing to express themselves," she continued. "To make a statement, to be bold. He showed men to not take themselves so seriously, have fun and to love life while you can."

Versace doesn't appear to have been the only individual who was personally sent music by Prince; though Missy Elliott has admitted she's lost her stash of new songs.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in