Donatella was at the helm of Versace for nearly 30 years following the 1997 murder of her brother, Gianni Versace
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Jennifer Lopez is one of Donatella Versace‘s biggest fans.
A day after it was announced that the fashion designer, 69, was stepping down from her role as Versace’s creative director — a position she held for nearly 30 years — Lopez, 55, wrote a touching tribute to her on Instagram.
“Gianni would be so proud. What a journey you have been on,” Lopez wrote, referencing Donatella becoming the leader of the Italian fashion house following the 1997 murder of her brother Gianni Versace at age 50.
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“You are strong, resilient, powerful, talented and I am so happy that I have gotten to know you over the years. Together, our journey and the friendship that we have formed has been incredible,” continued Lopez.
Donatella will now serve as Versace’s global ambassador, while Dario Vitale will take over as chief creative officer on April 1, per a press release. Vitale was previously the design and image director of Miu Miu.
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Lopez wrote in her message to Donatella that she knows her “next chapter will be filled with love, happiness and friendship…and whatever you want to create it to be.”
“I am always here for you… @donatella_versace 💚💚,” wrote Lopez.
She and Donatella have worked together many times throughout the years, most notably when Lopez wore her now iconic green Versace gown to the 2000 Grammy Awards. The nearly naked jungle-print dress caused such a stir that it spiked Google searches, leading to the birth of Google Images, according to Project Syndicate.
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Nearly 20 years later, Lopez honored the fashion moment by wearing an updated version of the dress at Versace’s Spring 2020 fashion show held in September 2019 in Milan.
In an August 2018 interview with Vogue, Lopez reflected on how she and Donatella first met in 1999 at the Met Gala, noting how the murder of Donatella’s brother Gianni affected them both.
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“My heart went out to her [Donatella]. I just kept touching her and holding her hand. She felt so fragile at the time. And she remembered that and we kind of bonded after that,” she said, adding that the two “always kept in touch.”
