Donatella Versace Offers Career Advice

DONATELLA VERSACE says that the qualities she'll be looking for when she judges the International Woolmark Prize next week are the same traits that made her late brother, Gianni Versace, such as success - "passion and personal vision".

"That's what makes a great designer," she told us. "It's something that my brother Gianni understood absolutely, and the most important thing I learnt from him. You have to believe in what you are doing and you have to have your own style."

Next Saturday, Versace will join Victoria Beckham, Tim Blanks and Diane von Furstenberg to judge the coveted award - which was previously won by a young Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent. Six designers will present collections, made using Merino wool, via a catwalk show at an intimate event staged during London Fashion Week. The winner will take home $100,000 AUD (£65,000) and will see his or her collection stocked in leading worldwide stores. Having long been a vocal supporter of emerging talent, Versace is looking forward to "seeing the work of the next generation of designers" and meeting the people behind the collections.

"The judging panel is made up of people who really know their stuff, and who have a wealth of experience in different fields - design itself, but also fashion retail and journalism," she said. "It's an impressive group and I feel that we will all bring our own different perspectives to bear on the judging, which I think is important for the integrity of the competition. It also means that the young designers will get the benefit of many different informed points of view."

Versace describes wool as "one of the classic materials for a fashion designer" because of its long-lasting, versatile, natural and robust qualities.

"It also has some great technical merits," she added. "It is breathable and recovers really well after being folded up in your luggage. It can be used woven for tailored garments and dresses, and knitted for knitwear. It can look smart or relaxed, edgy or classic."

The designer, who is also preparing for her upcoming Milan Fashion Week show this month, believes that a long-term career in fashion design requires a mixture of self-belief and talent.

"You must have confidence in your ideas and your vision for your collection," said Versace. "It's no good being too easily swayed by people's opinions. You have to believe in yourself."