Alan Cumming, Uma Thurman, Sofia Coppola & Anna Sui front row at Versace x H&M. Photo: Getty Images

The attendees at last night’s Versace x H&M launch party were a veritable who’s who of the fashion and entertainment worlds. Despite the guest list’s grade-A status, everyone has to start out somewhere —especially when you’re talking about a personal relationship with a mega-luxury brand. So we decided to ask notable party-goers about their first Versace memories…

Coco Rocha
I went to my casting for Versace and I remember them thinking I was too pasty white but when she [Donatella] saw my walk she was very interested…

Selma Blair
I was practically homeless in New York City and I saved up a bunch of money that I didn’t have to buy a red velvet mini skirt overall outfit. I wish I had it today but I only had one suitcase to move to LA so I probably had to sell it.

Jessica Alba

I went over to Donatella’s house and she opened her closet and we talked about boys and we talked about kids. She’s such a girl’s girl and it made me feel beautiful and special.

Christopher Kane
In the Glasgow shopping center there was a huge Versace store and all the footballers all the small town celebrities used to go there. You had to ring a doorbell to get in so it was very VIP, kind of terrifying.

Anna Sui
When I got my first CFDA award Donatella was backstage and I got to meet her.

Joseph Altuzarra
Seeing it in magazines—the mesh dresses were a very big moment. Versace is such a huge influencer.

Uma Thurman
A wonderful gown that they made for the Golden Globes years ago. It was very special, one of my first couture moments.

And now an additional moment with Coco Rocha, who was impressively upbeat despite her restrictive Zac Posen corsetry.

ELLE: Since you were deemed so pasty white, were you asked to wear self-tanner?

CR: No tanner I don’t look good tan, so they said make all of them tan except this one and keep her pasty white.

ELLE: Do you have any Versace in your closet?

CR: I’ve actually never splurged on a high-end designer except for these Versace shoes that I bought for the Grammy’s a few years back.