Versace gets children to design handbags

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Versace's latest handbag collection has been designed by children.

Iconic fashion designer Donatella Versace has teamed up with a group of youngsters to create a charitable new accessories range and allow her to help those less privileged.

Donatella said: "When you are successful in your life, you want to give back."

Over the past few months, the 54-year-old Italian has worked with dozens of children at New York's Art Unites programme at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Each child sketched a design on a friendship theme on squares of canvas and these drawings will be transformed into a designer Versace tote bag and sold for US$250.

Any profits from sales will go to children's charities the Starlight Children's Foundation and the Jet Li One Foundation for poorly youngsters.

Over 1,000 budding designers will see their designs transformed into trendy handbags and the favourite two styles will appear on the runway during a Versace catwalk show later this month after being unveiled in the October issue of Harper's Bazaar.

Donatella recently admitted she was terrified when it comes to unveiling her new designs.

She said: "I have to say that presenting a collection to the public has always and still does cause me a certain amount of anxiety. The show is the moment of truth - when you discover whether or not your work is good.

"When you have done a good job and the public appreciates it, the satisfaction you feel is utterly unique!"

- Bang! Showbiz