By Laila Lu

Donatella Versace presented a repeat of her Spring 09’ show in Milan at Beijing on Friday. The event marks the first time that a Versace fashion show has ever been held in China, it also brought out an epic cast of all-Asian models, with Du Juan, the resident Chinese supermodel, as the headliner.  Given that Versace Donatella has not cast an Asian model in her Milan show for 2 years straight, seeing a full cast of Asian male and female models in a Versace show was historic.

The show was full of glamour as usual, with models in the trademark sexy mini dresses sashaying down the circular runway. But the real purpose behind the show was all for charity. Donatella had partnered with Jet Li’s One Foundation to raise money for a series of new children’s centers designed to provide post-trauma and psychological relief in China’s Sichuan province, which was hit by a devastating earthquake last May. Prior to the show, Donatella had also personally visited the earthquake victims in China with Jet Li, checking out the schools and taking photographs with the children.  

Donatella is also aiming to put more focus on the Asian market, the second largest market after Europe, which is fast overtaking the recession-ridden U.S.

Images courtesy of the Fashion Spot forums.