Donatella Versace is bidding farewell to her role as creative director of the illustrious fashion house Versace after nearly 30 years of influential leadership. Taking charge of the brand in 1997 following the tragic murder of her brother Gianni, Donatella has since been instrumental in defining Versace’s identity, overseeing numerous fashion campaigns and expanding the brand's reach into hotels and automobiles.
The decision for her to step down comes alongside news that Dario Vitale—previously design director for Miu Miu—will be stepping into the role of creative director. Donatella will transition to a brand ambassador position, where she plans to focus on Versace’s philanthropic efforts while continuing to advocate for the brand worldwide.
Capri Holdings, which owns Versace, has described the leadership change as a carefully orchestrated succession plan, emphasizing Vitale’s potential to drive the brand's future. In their statement, they acknowledged Donatella's significant impact on the company’s global success over the years.
Sharing her sentiments on social media, Donatella expressed her deep connection to the brand and her commitment to nurturing a new generation of designers. She noted, "Versace is in my DNA and always in my heart," while also expressing enthusiasm for welcoming Vitale into the creative fold.
Throughout her career, Donatella has dressed numerous prominent figures, from Madonna and Beyoncé to Lady Gaga. Her contribution to fashion history includes designing the iconic green jungle dress worn by Jennifer Lopez in 2000, along with crafting Michelle Obama's dress for her final state dinner in 2016.
Founded in 1978 alongside her brothers Santo and Gianni, the Versace brand was sold to the Michael Kors group in 2018 and subsequently became part of Capri Holdings in 2019. Currently, Versace accounts for 20% of Capri Holdings' substantial projected revenue of €5.2 billion (£4.3 billion) for 2024.
