After over 30 years of leading Versace, Donatella Versace has formally resigned from her position as the brand’s creative director in order to take on the role of the brand’s global ambassador. This decision marks the end of one of the most influential periods in the history of fashion.
After the loss of her brother, Gianni Versace, in 1997, Donatella Versace, who is now 69 years old, took over the clothing business Versace. Since then, she has played a significant role in establishing the identity of the label in the present period. It was during her time that the company was able to broaden its worldwide reach while maintaining its characteristic bold, glamorous, and unabashedly sensual look.
In a message that was published on Instagram on Thursday, March 12, the designer confirmed the announcement and announced that Dario Vitale will be taking over as the chief creative officer of the company beginning on April 1, 2025.
The following is an excerpt from the post: “I have always placed a high priority on fostering the next generation of designers.” I cannot express how delighted I am to have Dario Vitale join us, and I am also looking forward to seeing Versace through fresh eyes. I would want to express my gratitude to the wonderful members of my design team as well as to all of the Versace colleagues with whom I have had the honor of collaborating for more than three decades.
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to carry on my brother Gianni’s legacy,” according to the subsequent post. “He was the true genius, but I hope I have some of his spirit and tenacity.”
“In my new position as Chief Brand Ambassador, I will continue to be the most ardent advocate of Versace. The conclusion of the statement, which was signed by Donatella, said that “Versace is in my DNA and will always be very close to my heart.”
Following a recent story by WWD, which said that Vitale was planning to step down from his position as design director at Miu Miu by the end of January 2025, the revelation comes as a surprise.
Within a message that was published on the Versace Instagram Stories, Vitale expressed his belief that he is “truly honored” to be taking on the assignment.
“The House of Versace has a unique heritage that has spanned decades and has shaped the history of fashion,” he said in conclusion.
“I want to express my sincere thank you to Donatella for her trust in me, and for her tireless dedication to the extraordinary brand that Versace is today,” Vitale said in an interview.
“It is a privilege to contribute to the future growth of Versace and its global impact through my vision, expertise and dedication,” he ended his remarks.
The departure of Donatella comes at a time when Capri Holdings is undergoing substantial changes. Capri Holdings purchased Versace in 2018 for a total of $2.1 billion and has lately been investigating possible strategic moves, one of which being the possibility of selling the brand.
It is impossible to deny the impact that Donatella has had on the fashion industry, whether it is via the creation of legendary red carpet moments, such as Jennifer Lopez’s stunning jungle-print dress at the 2000 Grammy Awards, or through the revitalization of the brand through star-studded campaigns and collaborations. Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Dua Lipa, Olivia Rodrigo, and Sabrina Carpenter are just some of the artists who have embraced her unique designs over the course of the last year, solidifying her position as a go-to for some of the most prominent names in the music industr
There are almost 12 million people who follow her on Instagram, making her the fashion designer who has the most followers on social media. Donatella paid respect to her brother, who had passed away, in a post that she made on Instagram on March 13. According to what she wrote, “I hope I’ve made you proud so far.”
The fact that she was seen at Versace’s Milan Fashion Week presentation on February 28 sparked suspicion that she was going to leave the company eventually. In the collection, a memorial was given to her brother Gianni, with a reference to his last collection, which was released in autumn/winter 1997.
Throughout her career at Versace, Donatella has maintained her role as a hands-on designer, making her the company’s driving power for a very long time. On the other hand, many people saw the sentimental tribute to Gianni’s legacy as a significant moment that marked the end of Donatella’s own story.
The home that her brother constructed saw a significant change as a result of her leaving. Donatella Versace and the fashion industry as a whole will be keeping a careful eye on what comes next not just for Versace but also for Donatella herself as she departs.