piece of Versace has been resurrected in Little Italy with brand new resto-lounge, “Versace’s Driveway.” For those who worship the silver-haired fashionista, it’s a nice thought. But even en vogue scenesters don’t seem to be sold on the space as much as they are about admiring vintage Versace couture.

Versace’s Driveway is located in the middle of the College West strip, in between an up-for-sale discount clothes store and a small entranceway that leads upstairs to the newly hatched Toi Bar. Its garage-style window opens on to the street, creating VIP front row seats for their fashionably challenged patrons to watch stylish hipsters parade on by to bigger and better loft parties while sporting at least one article of American Apparel clothing.

On a Friday night, Versace’s Driveway is pumping with beats transforming the sidewalk into a virtual runway (where’s Tyra, and more importantly, where’s Jay?). The bartender knows how to shake a drink, and the DJ seems into his groove, but no one is shaking their groove thang. College West either hasn’t discovered this place, or they’ve decided to take a pass. People keep passing it by. Is Little Italy really not that Euro after all?

Don’t get me wrong - the space has potential. It’s dimly lit with an open-style kitchen, a collection of flat screen TVs, and an intimate back patio. Um, I think I’m in Miami. Unlike Versace’s mansion, however, the place is lacking peeps, glam, and well….a courtyard swimming pool (no Elton and David either).

A group of multi-coloured armchairs are arranged in the front window. Unfortunately, they’re just as tacky as the late ‘80s tropical-print shirts that dominated Miami when Gianni was alive. Not surprisingly, the seats are empty. Mirrors decorate one of the walls. Guess what – nobody’s watching. A group of three girls chat over some dinner looking half enthusiastic. Perhaps the lack of red-blooded males could have something to do with the melancholy stares into the distance?