Everything we learnt from JLO at Versace

It’s been 20 years since Jennifer Lopez and THAT jungle print dress melted the internet. And last night in Milan the superstar sent Instagram into overdrive by dusting off the iconic number to close the Versace catwalk. It was - as they say in fashion land - a moment. Here’s everything we learned.

JLo invented Google Images

While it’s hard to imagine a time before you could conjure any image you wanted with just a tap of your finger, we do in fact have JLO to thank for the birth of Google Images.

When she took to the red carpet at the Grammy Awards in February 2000, dressed in Donatella Versace’s epic creation with its navel-skimming plunged neckline, the internet search engine struggled to handle the traffic. Soon after, Google’s Image Search was born. “The whole world wanted to see the dress,” said the designer, speaking at a press conference ahead of last night’s show. “We all follow technology; it’s at the centre of our lives today, but 20 years ago it wasn’t.”

In honour of the milestone, huge digital projections which lined the show venue scrolled images of JLo from the night 20 years ago before Donatella’s voice demanded “OK Google, now show me the real jungle dress”.

Cue the entire audience on its feet - including Anna Wintour - clamouring to get the money shot.

More skin is in

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the OG Jungle Dress was about as revealing as an outfit could get. But Donatella decided that actually, the long sheer sleeves were a bit too demure.

Instead, the recently turned 50-year-old pop icon strutted out in flashing even more beautifully bronzed flesh than before in a version that was sleeveless and slashed at the sides, with the skirt held aloft for a better look at the matching palm-print briefs.

The jungle print is as fresh in 2020 as it was in 2000

The revival of the Jungle Dress didn’t end with the one worn by JLo. On the catwalk, the lush motif was splashed across cotton parkas, trouser suits and denim mini skirts, while a corresponding crystal embellishment adorned work shirts and handbags. A series of shimmering sequin cocktail dresses inspired by the print also looked set to appeal to Versace’s party-loving peacocks who may or may not be old enough to remember the dress’s first outing.

You can’t go wrong with a little black dress

Aside from the limelight-loving palm print, the LBD was also a signature of Versace’s spring/summer 20 offering and provided the show with some of its strongest looks. Among them, Kendall Jenner’s micro-mini, Bella Hadid’s belted pinafore and Gigi’s torso-flashing jersey dress. Black leather was also a mainstay. See Edie Campbell’s biker jacket for more details.

Versace embraces flats

Perhaps even more shocking addition to the catwalk than last night’s surprise guest - albeit, one less photographed - was a flat shoe. From perspex slides to gladiator sandals and bejewelled trainers, Versace said that the more casual inclusions (which also included denim) were designed to appeal to widen the brand’s appeal.

“It’s not for one woman, it’s for every woman,” said the designer, whilst, of course, clad in her signature six inch heels. There was no shortage of vertiginous versions to keep Donatella-ites happy too, including strappy spike stilettos and razor-sharp courts.

Donatella has never Googled herself

“I’m too scared to,” she said, laughing ahead of the show.

Click through the gallery at the top for more photos from the Versace SS20 show.