Versace confirms Dario Vitale’s debut won’t be a runway show but a private presentation set for 26 September in Milan.
Versace is turning the page with a bold shift in direction. The fashion house has confirmed that Dario Vitale’s debut collection for Spring 2026 will not feature a traditional catwalk but will instead be revealed through an intimate event during Milan Fashion Week. Scheduled for 26 September, the show marks a symbolic fresh start.
“It will be a celebration of the house’s heritage and a vision for its future,” a Versace spokesperson stated, noting the presentation will also include a video element. The choice reflects a strategic pivot following the departure of Donatella Versace, who was named the brand’s chief ambassador in March after 28 years at the creative helm.
Vitale, who previously served as Miu Miu’s ready-to-wear design director, was officially appointed chief creative officer of Versace on 1 April. His arrival coincides with the seismic acquisition of Versace by Prada Group for €1.25 billion, a deal expected to close in late 2025.
“We don’t need to change the brand — just evolve it,” said Lorenzo Bertelli, head of CSR at Prada, in announcing the acquisition. Prada’s CEO Andrea Guerra emphasised that Vitale’s move was a personal decision, not part of the corporate merger, but highlighted the group’s full support for the new creative team.
In a brand known for lavish shows and star-studded runways, Versace’s upcoming minimalist presentation signals a redefined aesthetic. Less spectacle, more substance — could this be the quiet reinvention of one of fashion’s loudest voices?
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