Donatella Versace has stepped down as chief creative officer of Versace after 27 years.
Chairman and chief executive officer of Capri Holdings, John D. Idol, revealed that Dario Vitale will be taking over the role. Versace has been under the Capri Holdings luxury group since it was bought in 2018.
Vitale has been part of the fashion industry since he graduated from Milan’s fashion school, Istituto Marangoni, in 2006. He worked as the design and image director of one of Prada’s subsidiary brands, Miu Miu, for 14 years prior to his new role.
Donatella Versace never planned on being a designer. After the murder of her brother and brand founder, Gianni Versace, she became the chief creative officer of Versace to uphold its legacy and build its future.
Versace had no formal fashion training before taking over; however, her love for fashion began to develop as she fully integrated herself into fashion and the brand itself.
Celebrities such as Dua Lipa, Jennifer Lopez, and Gigi Hadid showed support on social media following the announcement and paid tribute to her time there.
“Gianni would be so proud,” Lopez wrote on Instagram. “What a journey you have been on. You are strong, resilient, powerful, talented, and I am so happy that I have gotten to know you over the years.”
However, this is not the end of Donatella Versace’s involvement with the brand.
“In my new role as Chief Brand Ambassador, I will remain Versace’s most passionate supporter,” Donatella Versace said. “Versace is in my DNA and always in my heart.”
Last year, she was named the Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, recognizing her contributions to Italian culture, the fashion industry, and her humanitarian work. The reward is among one of Italy’s highest national honors.
As chief brand ambassador, Donatella Versace will oversee the brand’s philanthropic and charitable endeavors.
“I want to thank my incredible design team and all the employees at Versace that I have had the privilege of working with for over three decades,” Donatella Versace said. “It has been the greatest honor of my life to carry on my brother Gianni’s legacy. He was the true genius, but I hope to have some of his spirit and tenacity.”
