Donatella VERSACE to present Best Costume Designer Award

23 Feb '10

3 min read

The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society announced that renowned fashion icon Donatella VERSACE will be presenting the Best Costume Designer Award at the 4th Asian Film Awards (AFA). The award is a new addition to the AFA this year to recognise the work of Asian costume designers in cinema.

Donatella VERSACE, Vice President and Creative Director of the Versace Group, is a giant in the fashion industry. Respected worldwide as an authority in design, she was made Honorary Chairwoman for London's Fashion Fringe in 2008 and 2009, an industry event to uncover upcoming designer talent.

“I am deeply honoured to be presenting the Best Costume Designer Award at the 4th Asian Film Awards,” said Donatella VERSACE. “Fashion is a state of mind that goes deeper than what you can see with the eye, and the same goes for exquisite films that touch our hearts and minds. This award will highlight the convergence of design and cinema and promote talented designers in Asia across the world stage.”

Donatella VERSACE is a pioneer in inviting world-class celebrity endorsements to promote Versace, an iconic brand she built in collaboration with her late brother Gianni VERSACE. Since designing the famous Versace Green Dress, also known as the “Jungle-Dress”, for Jennifer LOPEZ at the Grammys, her designs have contributed to red carpet glitz and glamour by dressing some of the world's most famous stars such as Drew BARRYMORE and Jennifer GARNER at the Golden Globes Awards recently, and LOPEZ and Beyoncé KNOWLES at this year's Grammy Awards. Zoe SALDANA, star of the highest grossing movie of all time, Avatar, recently wore a Versace gold and silver shimmer dress to its premiere. Donatella VERSACE has made cameo performances in many films related to the fashion industry, including Zoolander, and the Versace brand is mentioned in countless other films, including the 2006 hit The Devil Wears Prada.

“Donatella VERSACE is one of the most admired personalities in fashion today and we are proud to have her present the inaugural Best Costume Designer Award,” said Ms. SHAW Soo Wei, Executive Director of the HKIFFS. “She is a true inspiration to designers worldwide and has a special connection with people in Asia due to her deep personal care for this region and the humanitarian work she has carried out here.”

Donatella VERSACE visits Asia frequently for her philanthropy work. One of her high profile visits included a trip to China after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake with movie star Jet LI to fund the rebuilding of an elementary school in Sanjiang through the Jet Li One Foundation. She also organised the Versace/One Charity Gala in China in late 2008. The Gala included a full scale, Milan-style fashion show and an exclusive charity auction to raise funds for the Foundation. Versace and the Jet Li One Foundation established a partnership to open children's centres for post trauma and psychological relief in Sichuan Province.

This year's Best Costume Designer Award will apply to Asian films produced in 2009 and will be decided by jury and voting members in accordance with AFA Rules and Regulations.

Versace Asia Pacific Limited