Milan fashion house Versace will part ways with Chief Creative Officer Dario Vitale on December 12, 2025.
The departure comes less than nine months after his appointment and just days following Prada Group’s completion of its $1.25 billion acquisition of the brand.โ
The Neapolitan designer presented his sole collection for Versace during Milan Fashion Week in September 2025.
His debut show at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana received critical acclaim for its bold reinterpretation of Gianni Versace’s 1980s aesthetic. Industry insiders praised the collection’s raw sensuality and modern approach to luxury.โ
A sudden departure after less than a year
Prada Group finalised the purchase of Versace on Tuesday, bringing the iconic Italian brand under the same corporate umbrella as Prada and Miu Miu. The acquisition had been announced in April 2025, shortly after Vitale’s appointment in March.โ
Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada heir and newly appointed Versace executive chairman, announced the mutual separation. “We would like to sincerely thank Dario for his outstanding contribution to the development of the brand’s creative strategy during this transition period, and we wish him all the very best in his future endeavors,” the brand stated.โ
Succeeding Donatella: A historic but brief tenure
Vitale’s exit marks a swift conclusion to a brief tenure. He succeeded Donatella Versace, who stepped down after nearly three decades at the helm. His appointment represented the first time in the brand’s 47-year history that a non-family member would lead creative direction.โ
The designer previously served as design and image director at Miu Miu, another Prada Group brand. He spent 14 years within the Prada organization before accepting the Versace position. His departure after one season defies conventional industry norms, where creative directors typically remain for multiple collections barring severely negative reviews.โ
Industry analysts had questioned Vitale’s long-term position following the acquisition announcement. Fashion observers noted that new ownership typically signals desire for change rather than maintaining status quo. The brief tenure suggests strategic differences between Vitale’s creative vision and Prada Group’s plans for the brand.โ
A promising debut cut short
During his September debut, Vitale drew inspiration from his mother’s Versace wardrobe in the 1980s. The collection featured slouchy bombers, sliced vests, high-waisted jeans, and body-conscious dresses. He described his approach as capturing “this kind of bold attitude, Italian fearlessness, but always in control”.โ
The show’s intimate setting at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, surrounded by Caravaggio and Da Vinci works, created a dramatic backdrop. Vitale staged the presentation amid staged disarrayโan unmade bed, empty glasses, and scattered headache pillsโto convey “twisted glamour”.โ
A new creative chapter ahead
Prada Group leadership has indicated plans to announce a new creative director “in due course”. The company emphasizes Versace’s “substantial untapped growth opportunities” and aims to revitalize the brand’s luxury positioning.โ
The acquisition removes Versace from Capri Holdings, which had owned the brand since 2018. Capri Holdings had acquired Versace for $2 billion but struggled to align its bold aesthetic with contemporary “quiet luxury” trends. Under Capri’s ownership, Versace occupied 20% of the conglomerate’s projected revenue.โ
Prada Group reported revenues of 5.4 billion euros in 2024, with 17% growth. Versace is expected to contribute 13% to pro forma revenues within the new structure. The group has already begun integrating Versace into its Italian production network, including leather goods facilities in Scandicci.โ
The fashion industry watches closely as Versace enters its most significant transformation period since founder Gianni Versace’s death in 1997. For now, the creative team operates under CEO Emmanuel Gintzburger while awaiting new leadership.
