Unreleased Prince music played at Versace show for Milan Fashion Week

'I wanted to express my love and admiration for my friend who I miss so much,' Donatella Versace said of the decision

As fans await news of the fate of Prince's vault of unreleased music, Donatella Versace has shared a mix of never-before-heard music by the late artist.

The 11-minute track accompanied the Versace menswear presentation at Milan Fashion Week; a collection pulled from Versace's own personal archive of songs.

The two were "close friends" during his lifetime, with the musician sending her material as recently as five months ago; as the fashion designer told Billboard, "Prince was always writing and recording, even if it was just a late-night jam at Paisley Park. He had been sending me songs for years -- it was his way of communicating. Just hearing his voice again makes me smile."

Versace believes her use of material in the show is a way to, "express my love and admiration for my friend who I miss so much. Celebrating him and his music at my menswear show seemed like the best way."

The runway show also featured several purple pieces in its collection. "I love men who can dress beyond rules and codes," Versace stated. "Prince set his own rules and did what he wanted -- he wore high heels, showed his body, chose strong color, did whatever pleased him. He loved to play with fashion, to provoke and shock. I was in awe of him, always."

"Prince showed men how they could use clothing to express themselves," she continued. "To make a statement, to be bold. He showed men to not take themselves so seriously, have fun and to love life while you can."

Versace doesn't appear to have been the only individual who was personally sent music by Prince; though Missy Elliott has admitted she's lost her stash of new songs.