FROM her ultra-blond hair to her super-high heels, Donatella Versace uses every inch of her being to embrace glamor, and she wasn't going to put the Versace name on anything - and certainly not a collection for global fast-fashion retailer H&M - that didn't do the same.

The 43 looks in the H&M collection, which hits stores around the world yesterday were designed with these provocative young ladies in mind.

The clothes that debuted Tuesday night on the catwalk lived up to the hype surrounding the limited-edition collection as well as Versace's own glitzy standards: There was a metallic disco dress, a studded leather bomber jacket and an animal-print-meets-tropical-sunset tank dress for women; and a hot-pink suit, studded tuxedo-style shorts and a palm-tree, second-skirt T-shirt for men.

The runway at the huge and historic Pier 57 in Manhattan's Meatpacking District attracted a crowd that included Blake Lively, Uma Thurman and Jessica Alba. Nicki Minaj and Prince took their front-row seats, and then emerged on stage at the after-party that recreated a Miami nightclub. Minaj did swap the green feather fascinator she wore to the show for a crystal-covered trucker hat when it came time to perform.

"She's a legend. She's amazing," Minaj said of Versace on the red carpet.

She added: "I told Donatella today, you don't understand how many little girls are jumping for joy now that you're introducing a more affordable line."

Swedish fashion chain Hennes & Mauritz AB has partnered with big names before, including Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney and Lanvin designer Alber Elbaz, and Target Corp's joint line with the Italian knitwear brand Missoni earlier this fall caused a frenzy, causing its website to crash the first day items were offered. None had a launch quite like this, though.

Versace said backstage that this sort of production, coupled with clothes embellished with sequins, studs, leather and lace, will be an antidote for the struggling economy. "It was done totally wrong the last time the economy failed," she said. "Everyone said, 'Let's do safe, good-quality clothes that people will invest in and wear year after year.' That couldn't be more wrong. Those that survived best were recognizable and stuck to their DNA - our DNA is glamor."

She added: "This is a very joyful collection."

Tropical floral patterns were splashed on tight leggings and tunic tops, and heart-print dresses were covered with beaded fringe. Many models wore hot-pink strappy sandals and carried printed handbags with the South Beach motif and Versace's Medusa logo.

Many of the styles were updated (and, with top prices of US$299, less expensive) interpretations of signature looks of the house as it was first designed by the late Gianni Versace and for the last 14 years by his sister Donatella. "I really wanted iconic moments of Versace," she said. There even was a black dress with gold hardware reminiscent of the label's safety-pin gown made famous by Elizabeth Hurley.

"I've always been a fan. The dresses and all the things she makes are such amazing shapes for women," said Lively. "She always has such unexpected things between the colors and the patterns, the detail, the beading, it's always shocking - and I love that."

Versace said head-turning styles are the right introduction to the next-generation shoppers - the ones who know how to mix top-tier designer labels with inexpensive trendy pieces.

She has done her fair share of shopping with her own children at stores such as H&M. "I know this customer. I know what they want. They follow music, fashion. For the new generation, it's all pop culture."

The Designer

Jessica Iredale

"It's in the air. Absolutely. I feel it - it's a very Versace moment," said Donatella Versace as she prepped for the big H&M show, which was a year in the making. Dressed in black leather pants and a studded Versace for H&M tank, her eyelids covered lashes-to-brow in black shadow, one veiled by a sweep of platinum hair, Versace and her collection infused the blank, white space at Milk Studios - the outpost for hair, makeup and fittings - with a blitz of color.

Across the street, Pier 57 was undergoing a similar transformation into "Versace for H&M Hall on the Hudson," as it would be known for one night only.

The production would include three videos by Johan Renck, musical performances by Nicki Minaj and Prince, as well as the unmistakable sound of Versace's voice. Victor Calderone, who did the music for the show, mixed Versace's vocals - speaking in English, specifically - on a track. "It's the funniest thing because I can't sing," said Versace with a laugh. "I'm going to say, 'Nicki and Prince, you're time is over. It's all about me'!'

If H&M had its way, all of this would have happened two years ago, when the company initially approached Versace about a collaboration. But at that time, the answer was no.

"I wanted to work to stabilize the main collection everywhere in the world," said Versace. "We were strong in most places, but other places we had to work."

The company restructured and since then the tables have turned in her favor, sales are up, the business is growing, and the Versus collection, Versace's secondary line co-designed by Christopher Kane, has been brought back in-house.

It seems whatever force of nature sways the collective taste has put it in the mood for Versace's brand of conspicuously sexy glamor, and not just because anything Lady Gaga, who Versace shrewdly offered to outfit in archival looks for two recent videos, touches turns into zeitgeist. Although, that helped.

"The reaction to her was amazing," said Versace. "Everybody was writing on our website to ask where they can find this and that." The runways, too, have been flooded with Versace tributes - this past season at Lanvin and Dolce & Gabbana, and last fall in the panther and pin-up prints at Givenchy.

As complimentary as it is to have one's creative peers bask in your glow, it's even better to lure a new audience all together. "I'm always looking at young people," said Versace.

"Girls today love to dress up. They love the Medusa. You see it even if they just buy a belt or sunglasses. They want to look cool and sexy. They don't want to look ordinary." Kristen Stewart, Carey Mulligan and Elizabeth Olsen come to mind when asked to name a few youthful persons of interest. "Of course, I love Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj," she said. "They're not afraid to dare. It's been a while since someone went out there and didn't listen too much to the marketing people. You still have to listen to them but not 100 percent."