How Donatella got this face at 69: Experts reveal the procedures behind Versace designer's 'biggest...
While Donatella Versace is well-known in the fashion world, she's also recognized for her constantly evolving appearance, which has always been unique and striking.
Throughout the years, fans have wondered if she has gone too far with cosmetic enhancements, such as fillers, adjustments, and Botox, as evidenced by her smooth, shiny forehead and full lips. However, one Sunday night, the 69-year-old Italian designer surprised everyone when she appeared in London looking just as youthful as she did in the 1990s.
At the opening of The Devil Wears Prada musical on Sunday, Donatella showcased skin that looked smooth, firm, and, most importantly, completely natural. This transformation led her Instagram followers to call it 'the greatest enhancement ever.'
On X, people were playfully suggesting that the designer might have gone to the same cosmetic surgeon as Lindsay Lohan, who has recently shown off a more youthful look. This sparked speculation about some new treatment that's not yet accessible to the average person.
"Someone has to uncover the identity of this Hollywood doctor who's working wonders," one person remarked.
Donatella, known for her statement that she "doesn't think a woman can be completely natural," has openly acknowledged her use of Botox to preserve her youthful look. She took on the position of Chief Creative Officer at Versace after her brother Gianni was tragically murdered in 1997, a high-pressure role that she has navigated since then.
Although her Instagram photo might have softened some wrinkles, it's clear that she looked better at the premiere than she has in recent years.
In this section, cosmetic surgery specialists share their insights on the procedures that Donatella might have undergone throughout the years, as well as the reasons behind her recent stunning makeover.
Shown here: Donatella Versace attending the London premiere of The Devil Wears Prada musical last week.
In 2014, Donatella Versace visited São Paulo, Brazil (left). At that time, there were rumors that she had had a facelift, eyelid surgery, cheek implants, and a nose job. Fast forward ten years, and she appeared more youthful than ever while attending the London premiere of The Devil Wears Prada (right).
1993: The Art Of Subtle Fillers
In an interview with FEMAIL, Dr. Ross Perry, the founder and Medical Director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics, suggested that Donatella began using cosmetic procedures as early as 1993.
At that point, the designer was 38 and had spent the past 20 years collaborating with her brother.
Examining a picture from the fashion brand's Spring/Summer presentation, the specialist commented: "It seems to me that [1993 might have been] her initial experience with lip fillers, as they appear more plump compared to how they looked in 1990."
In the photo: Donatella Versace during the Spring/Summer 1993 runway show in Paris. Dr. Perry claims that at this moment, she was only utilizing fillers.
Fashion designer Gianni Versace is seen alongside musician Elton John and his sister Donatella as they arrived at Lincoln Center in New York in February 1993.
However, I think she may have just added a small amount of filler because her lips were already quite plump to begin with.
She has some subtle wrinkles forming at the corners of her eyes, which is common, so it seems she hasn't opted for Botox treatments just yet.
At the same time, Dr. Fadi Hamadani, a plastic surgeon with InMode, mentioned, "Her lips naturally appeared quite plump, but it's possible she chose to get lip fillers during this period, which would explain the more noticeable fullness that became trendy in the 2000s."
1998: The Rise Of Subtle Botox Use
In 1998, Donatella, who had taken the reins of her brother's brand, began her efforts to turn back the clock on aging.
Shown here is Donatella Versace at the VH-1 Divas Live concert in 1998. During this period, it was thought that the designer was using Botox.
In 1998, Donatella Versace answered questions at a press conference for the Fire and Ice Ball held at the Beverly Hills Hotel in California.
In the image: Donatella Versace, an Italian fashion designer and mother of two, was present at the MTV Awards in January 1998.
Just under a year into her position as Chief Creative Officer at Versace, the mother of two started to show a noticeably smoother complexion—something that Dr. Perry suspects was enhanced with cosmetic procedures.
He went on to say, "Maintaining Donatella's iconic style of long platinum hair extensions and a deeply tanned complexion, she appears more refined overall. Her makeup is also improved, complementing her skin tone more effectively."
It appears that Donatella's forehead is firm and even, which leads me to believe that she frequently receives Botox treatments. Additionally, she seems to have a touch of filler around her lips.
Dr. Hamadani remarked, "Donatella's looks began to change in the mid to late 1990s, but those changes seemed to be rather subtle."
It seems she might have recently begun getting Botox, especially in her forehead and around her eyes, since those areas appeared smooth and free of wrinkles.
At that time, Botox was gaining significant popularity, and Donatella's knack for preserving a youthful, vibrant appearance without noticeable wrinkles indicates that she likely used the treatment.
She might have used dermal fillers to gently accentuate her cheekbones and refine the area under her eyes. This created a more youthful look without being overly noticeable.
"2005: The Rise Of Lip Filler And Botox Trends"
After her divorce, Donatella seemed to undergo more cosmetic procedures. According to Dr. Perry, her lips became 'overfilled' and didn't match well with her other facial features.
Donatella Versace attended the 2005 Costume Institute Gala honoring Chanel, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Italian designer Donatella Versace welcomed the audience's applause following Gianni Versace's Fall/Winter 2005/06 show in 2005.
He went on to say, "In 2005, we saw the most significant transformation in Donatella's looks, especially around her mouth."
Her lips appear to have grown significantly, making them look excessively full and mismatched with her other facial features.
Her skin appears quite tight, so I recommend regular fillers to maintain fullness in the cheeks for a more youthful appearance, as well as Botox for the forehead, crow's feet, and possibly the chin.
Dr. Hamadani remarked that her cheekbones appeared more prominent, probably because of the fillers used to add volume to her face, particularly in the areas of her cheeks and jawline.
I would also propose that she may have undergone a facelift during this period, as the skin around her jaw and neck looks firmer and more elevated. The mix of these procedures has provided her face with a more defined and chiseled appearance, highlighting sharper angles.
In that year, Donatella revealed during a conversation with US Vogue that she had struggled with a cocaine addiction for "the past 18 years." She later sought help and went to a rehabilitation center in Arizona.
2008: Eyelid Surgery And Face Lift Suspicions
Donatella Versace makes her entrance at the amfAR Gala during the 61st Cannes Film Festival in 2008.
Dr. Perry commented on her look in 2008, saying, "While Donatella's lips appear excessively plumped, her eyes seem fresher and less droopy."
In 2008, Donatella was photographed at the Cannes Film Festival, and she appeared much younger than her 53 years, sparking rumors that she might have had cosmetic surgery to maintain her youthful appearance.
Dr. Perry commented that while Donatella's prominently plumped lips continue to attract attention, her eyes appear more vibrant and less droopy.
This implies that Donatella may have had eyelid surgery, often referred to as blepharoplasty. This procedure involves the removal of surplus skin, fat, or muscle from either the upper or lower eyelids.
I think Donatella might have also undergone a lower facelift because her jawline appears more sculpted and firm.
At the same time, Dr. Hamadani mentioned, "Her cheeks, jawline, and lips were still clearly shaped, probably due to regular filler treatments. Botox would have been important for smoothing her forehead and avoiding the development of wrinkles."
Trudy Friedman from the Aesthetic Skin Centre mentioned back then, "The many procedures she has undergone have significantly altered her facial contours."
"2010: Rumors Of Cheek Implants And Nose Job"
Donatella Versace makes an appearance ahead of the Fashion Fringe show for the Spring/Summer 2010 collection during London Fashion Week.
In the image: Donatella Versace during her 2010 fashion show. Dr. Perry commented, "It’s possible that she has received cheek implants, as they appear to be fuller and more rounded."
While Donatella’s look stayed relatively the same over the next couple of years, Dr. Perry observed that she might have had two additional, more discreet surgical enhancements.
He added, "There isn’t much of a noticeable change in Donatella's look from 2008 to 2010."
It's possible that she has had cheek implants, as her cheeks appear more rounded.
Her nose shape has noticeably changed compared to how it looked in previous years, which leads me to believe she may have had a nose job at some point. It now appears quite slender at the bridge but seems to widen towards the tip.
Lip Augmentation And Neck Lift Options
In the photo: Designer Donatella Versace was present at the 2013 Costume Institute Gala, which had a 'punk' theme.
Italian fashion designer Donatella Versace and model Naomi Campbell were spotted behind the scenes at the Versace show during Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture for the Fall/Winter 2013-2014 season in Paris.
By 2013, Donatella's lips looked completely different, and her face had become much tighter, as noted by Dr. Perry.
The specialist noted, "The lip enhancement is quite noticeable, and there’s no trace of her natural lip shape, resulting in an unnatural look."
Additionally, Dr. Perry believed she might be undergoing skin resurfacing procedures and possibly a neck lift, as the skin in that region appeared unusually tight for someone who is 58 years old.
He went on to say that the regular application of fillers and Botox is quite noticeable.
She might have undergone a brow lift because her eyebrows appear quite arched, which is unexpected for someone of Donatella's age.
"2017: New Veneers And Possible Breast Augmentation"
In the image: Fashion designer Donatella Versace was present at the amfAR New York Gala 2017, showcasing a blonde fringe hairstyle.
Commenting on the designer's 2017 appearance, Dr. Perry remarked, "It appears she is flaunting a fresh set of veneers that enhance her smile, complementing her rather plump lips."
Four years later, Donatella dazzled at the amfAR Gala in New York, showcasing her fit physique in a stunning rose gold dress that sparkled beautifully.
In the past, Donatella emphasized that her body was the result of dedication and effort, rather than any cosmetic procedures.
When examining the designer's 2017 appearance, Dr. Perry remarked, "It seems like she's highlighting a fresh set of veneers that enhance her smile, which pairs well with her very plumped lips."
"It looks like there may have been some breast enhancement based on the way the dress fits and has fullness at the top."
"2019: The Rise Of Dissolved Fillers"
In the photo: Italian fashion designer Donatella Versace taking part in Pride Live's Stonewall Day event on June 28, 2019.
Donatella Versace and Rihanna at The Fashion Awards 2019, which took place at the Royal Albert Hall in London on December 2, 2019.
After more than 25 years of speculation about cosmetic procedures, Dr. Perry thinks that Donatella made changes to her appearance in 2019 to look more natural.
He mentioned that Donatella is beginning to find her style and doesn’t seem to have had too much done to her appearance in this instance.
She might have had some lip filler removed, as her lips now appear more natural.
The face retains its round shape, but it doesn't appear overly tight.
"2023: The Fox Eye Lift Trend"
Donatella Versace was present at the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards 2023, which took place during the Milan Fashion Week for Women's Spring/Summer 2024 collections.
Dr. Perry commented on Donatella's 2023 look, stating, "Her eyes appear changed, and I would guess that she’s undergone a fox eye lift."
Yet, in 2023, it appeared that Donatella's methods intensified once more, as there are rumors she may have had a fox-eye lift done.
Dr. Perry remarked, "I believe Donatella appears much gentler with a lighter complexion and subtle ash tones in her hair."
Nonetheless, her eyes appear distinct, leading me to believe she might have undergone a fox eye lift.
This procedure is purely cosmetic, aimed at firming and lengthening the outer edges of the eye.
In the meantime, Dr. Ed Robinson commented, "Donatella appears to resist the effects of aging, and she may have received some assistance through cosmetic procedures or surgery."
Her face looks fuller compared to how it was in 2019. Since losing facial volume is a natural part of aging, it’s quite likely that she has used dermal fillers in her cheeks, chin, and jawline. She may have also opted for hybrid injectable treatments like Sculptra, which not only add volume but also promote collagen production.
"2024: Time For A Fresh Start"
The Creative Director of Versace posted pictures from the premiere of The Devil Wears Prada on her Instagram, leading fans to refer to her transformed appearance as 'the most significant improvement ever.'
Vanessa Williams, Donatella Versace, Sir Elton John, and Dame Anna Wintour were present at the charity gala for "The Devil Wears Prada Musical."
On Sunday night, Donatella captivated the audience at the London premiere of The Devil Wears Prada, showcasing a notably more youthful look.
Dr. Perry explains that this was due to regular maintenance and possibly some restorative procedures that Donatella may have undergone.
He mentioned, "This is the most amazing I've ever seen Donatella look—her hair, makeup, and outfit all come together beautifully and really complement her."
She appears to have not had much work done recently, but seems to be focusing on upkeep and perhaps making adjustments to prior procedures.
This might involve exploring more non-invasive skin treatments, having fillers taken out, and choosing fewer surgical procedures than she has in the past.
Additionally, Dr. Hamadani concurred with this assessment and mentioned, "Donatella has a very sleek and well-defined neck and jawline, which indicates that she probably keeps up with her neck and facelift procedures or is utilizing non-invasive methods to tighten her skin."
Treatments like Morpheus8 and other radio-frequency technologies can aid in avoiding sagging skin and keeping a well-defined, youthful neckline without resorting to surgery.
In general, it looks like she hasn't undergone any significant new procedures in recent years and has simply focused on keeping up with her previous treatments.
For the event, the designer wowed on the red carpet in a transparent, intricately decorated bronze mini dress, paired with a black sweetheart neckline bodysuit beneath.
Donatella teamed her transparent dress with knee-high brown leather platform boots.
On Instagram, one supporter noted, "Donatella has a brand new look."
Someone else commented, "I have to admit, this is surprising."
