Janet Asked Versace To Style Family For Memorial

Vanity Fair is reporting that the Jackson family’s color coordination at Tuesday’s memorial was the creation of Donatella Versace, who was contacted by Janet Jackson and requested to outfit the entire clan.

Donatella’s late brother Gianni Versace, founder of the Versace fashion house, first collaborated with Michael Jackson, back in 1983. The designer was still an up-and-comer, and the singer was already a superstar in need of an outfit to wear opposite Paul McCartney in the video for “Say Say Say.”

Several of Versace creations were seen in both the Dangerous and HIStory tours.  Janet wore the label onstage during her recent Rock Witchu tour, and Michael’ former wife Lisa Marie Presley appeared in campaigns for Versace’s offshoot label Versus during their marriage.

Per Vanity Fair:

For Tuesday’s memorial, Donatella created more fittingly somber numbers than the frogged gold jackets and bodysuits her brother designed for Michael decades ago. The Jackson men were outfitted in sharp black suits and subtly golden ties. When it came to the women, Donatella couldn’t help but add some Versace flair, apparent in the sassy wide brim of Latoya’s hat and the subtly revealing sheer panels of Janet’s black sheath.

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Memorial or red carpet event?