After almost three decades at the helm of the iconic Italian luxury fashion house, Donatella Versace, 69, has announced that she is stepping down as Chief Creative Officer of Versace.
This marks the end of an era for the family, which was co-founded by her brother, Gianni Versace, in 1978. Donatella took on the creative leadership of the fashion empire following Gianni’s tragic death in 1997 when he was fatally shot outside his Miami Beach mansion.
In a heartfelt post on Instagram, Donatella reflected on her time at the helm of Versace, calling it “the greatest honour of my life” to carry on her brother’s legacy. She shared her deep admiration for Gianni, stating, “He was the true genius, but I hope I have some of his spirit and tenacity.”
The creative reins of the flashy luxury brand have now been handed over to Dario Vitale, the head designer at Miu Miu, who will take over as the new Chief Creative Officer of Versace.
According to reports, this move is part of a larger reshuffling at the brand, which comes amidst reports that Prada—Versace’s larger Italian rival and owner of Miu Miu—is in talks to acquire Versace.
With Donatella stepping down, this also marks the end of the family’s control over the creative direction of the brand that has become synonymous with bold, skin-baring looks and its iconic Medusa logo. Under Donatella’s leadership, Versace has flourished into one of the world’s most celebrated luxury labels, adored by celebrities and jet-setters alike.
Donatella will transition into a new role as Chief Brand Ambassador, beginning April 1, the same day Vitale officially takes over. In her new position, she reassured fans of the brand, saying, “I will remain Versace’s most passionate supporter. Versace is in my DNA and always in my heart.”
John D. Idol, Chairman and CEO of Capri Holdings (which owns Versace, as well as Jimmy Choo and Michael Kors), issued a statement praising Donatella’s incredible impact on the brand.
“Since 1997, Donatella has led the creative vision for the House of Versace and played an integral role in the company’s global success,” he said. “We are excited to announce that Dario will be joining the House of Versace. He is a strong design leader, and we are confident that his talent and vision will be instrumental to Versace’s future growth.”
Main Image: Donatella Versace via Instagram
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