Dwyane Wade Bagged $1.7 Billion Italian Brand’s Massive Deal for 4 Reasons

Once those billboards “popped up,” as Dwyane Wade put it, he was a certified fashion icon. Before he was the face of Versace, Wade was pushing the boundaries of fashion and ticked every box on the $1.7 billion behemoth’s list. After the successful 2023 campaign, this partnership is now in the 2024 run. And yet, Wade asked Donatella Versace when she was on his podcast, The Why, “Why me?”

“Because of who you are,” Donatella said right away. But there’s more. “What you did in your career, in your life, your decision, your acceptance in many things.” Those things, according to the fashion house’s head honcho, make the NBA legend “really the only one.”

Wade expressed to her how privileged he felt to be among the famous names affiliated with the Milanese fashion house since it was established by Gianni Versace. Donatella, like her brother, told him that she doesn’t work with anyone she doesn’t know. Whatever she knows about Wade resonated with her enough to bring him on board, even though he claims he’s “not that good looking.”

The Flash took that jibe on the nose and said the photographs in this campaign didn’t capture his good side. Although we saw nothing but his good side in the Versace campaign.

Dwyane Wade through the Versace lens

From pretending to be Donatella’s “unpaid intern” to making sure Gabrielle Union pronounces ‘Versace’ right, The Flash is making the most of this partnership. In 2023, his ‘not best side’ modeling his signature Versace eyewear was on billboards all over the world, marking his biggest dive into the fashion industry. He wore Versace to his Hall of Fame induction ceremony, showcased pieces of eyewear during the Miami Heat Hall of Fame night, and when he won the All-Star break Spades tournament for the first time ever.

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In 2024, Dwyane and Donatella took it up a notch. They launched the second eyewear campaign and used their partnership to make an impact. Wade wore Versace as the Oscar-nominated producer of The Barber of Little Rock. That same weekend, he hosted a fundraiser with Donatella at the Los Angeles LGBTQ Center and both donated $50,000 each towards it.

The return of Wade’s eyewear line also goes parallel to the launch of Versace Profiles. As Donatella said, she only works with people she knows, and this project delves into the lives of her famous friends, like D-Wade. Throughout the podcast, the duo teased they have something more in store. They’re definitely keeping us buzzing for more Dwyane Wade x Versace.

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