Versace Menswear Fall Winter 2014 Milan

To the sounds of the revving engine of a Harley Davidson H.O.G., Donatella Versace sent out a menswear collection inspired by bikers. Make no mistake, Versace’s leather clad models were not of the scruffy, unwashed “Sons of Anarchy” variety. No hers was a hyper glam take on the sartorial style done in a way that only Ms. Versace can get away with.

Before the show the designer explained that “this collection is dedicated to all the men who want to feel free.” And there is no double that any man willing to don leather chaps and western bandana printed briefs or a metal stud embellished codpiece has a well-developed sense of liberty. And those examples were just the tip of this OTT collection. One that also featured a chinchilla hoodie, a head to toe getup cut from what looked to be a motorcycle motif print ripped from the walls of a boy’s bedroom circa 1950, and suits embellished with rhinestone sheriff’s stars and lucky horseshoes.

Blending bikers and cowboys was a cleaver concept and was perfectly in tune with the testosterone masculinity that is the hallmark of any Versace menswear show. The intervened V cut of coats and jackets, paired with slim pants gave the collection a robust silhouette. While the use of precious fabrics, embroidery and real gold embellishments showed that Versace has every intention of keeping its ostentatious outfits of the hyper luxe variety.

It looks as if the real rebel of this esteemed Italian fashion house is Ms. Versace herself.