The Italian designer bids farewell to the house after a single collection as creative director, right in the midst of a major transformation for the historic Italian label.
Dario Vitale will officially end his tenure at Versace on 12 December, just three months after presenting his acclaimed debut for the house. The news comes only days after Prada Group confirmed the acquisition of the brand for $1.25 billion, a move that marks the beginning of a new era for the fashion house founded by Gianni Versace.
In an official statement, Versace expressed its gratitude to the designer: “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 endeavours.”
Vitale was appointed creative director in March, replacing Donatella Versace, becoming the first designer outside the family to hold the role. Coming from Miu Miu, also part of Prada Group, where he had spent over 14 years as design director, his arrival already raised questions about his continuity once the sale of the group was confirmed in April.
Although creative reshuffles following a change of ownership are not unusual in the luxury sector, Vitale’s departure is particularly striking given the strong reception of his first Spring/Summer 2026 collection, considered one of the most celebrated of the season — second only in Paris to Matthieu Blazy’s debut for Chanel.
Under his vision, Versace had begun a clear repositioning towards a more elevated luxury segment, moving away from the “premium” approach that characterised the era under Capri Holdings. Early indicators pointed to a product strategy focused on high-value pieces, from €900 belts to special dresses surpassing €26,000, signalling a deliberate effort to reinforce the brand’s exclusivity.
Meanwhile, Donatella Versace remains linked to the house as global ambassador and welcomed the arrival of Prada Group, stating she is ready to support this new chapter.
With Vitale’s exit, Versace now faces a profound creative restructuring. The group has confirmed that the name of its next creative director will be announced “in due course”, while the creative team remains under the supervision of CEO Emmanuel Gintzburger, in what is shaping up to be the brand’s most significant period of transformation since the death of its founder in 1997.
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