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Donatella VersaceThe visionist who steered the Versace brand through Triumph and Tragedy, has stepped down as Creative Chief Officer, the United States owner of the United States Capri Holdings announced on Thursday, March 13. Dario Vitale, appointed as Chief Creative Officer, effectively on April 1.
“Promoting the next generation of designers has always been important to me,” Donatella said Thursday through Instagram. “I am delighted that Dario Vitale will join us and be excited to see Versace through new eyes.” He added: “I want to thank my amazing design team and all the employees in Versace with whom I had the privilege of working for over three decades.”
The brand Fall 2025 Introduction In Milan last month, he noted a seismic change in the luxurious fashion landscape, marking the end and beginning of the iconic Italian label. “With this conclusion, I do not follow any rules. Only Versace DNA rules, ”he said, summarizing the bold, rebellious spirit of the brand with a very personal touch. And when he took his last bow, he did so in a Vintage Versace jacket designed by her late brother, Gianni Versace; He was a reminder that this brand is not just business; It’s a family.
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to maintain my brother Gianni’s legacy,” said Donatella in Thursday’s statement. “He was the true genius, but hopefully I have some of his spirit and his destiny.” In terms of his new role as Chief Brand Ambassador, he said: “I will continue to be Versace’s most passionate supporter. Versace is my DNA and always in my heart. “
Donatella’s tenure in Versace is also a testament to resilience and reinventing. Thrust into the magnifying glass following the tragic murder of Gianni in 1997, the brand transformed into a world powerhouse. Before he passed, Donatella worked alongside her brother in several functions but has long been described by the press as his mix, when in fact, she was so much more.
Donatella and Gianni Versace at the Met Gala in 1996.
Rose Hartman/Getty ImagesAs a confidential and creative soundboard – their professional partnership was collaborative and very complementary. With her sense of style and intuition for a brand image, she was key in pushing her designer brother’s genius instinct further.
Donatella brought an edge inspired by music to a name which, with her help, was constantly renewing himself and keeping ahead of the age. Urged Gianni to stay forever young, filling his front line with the right celebrities, from Mad to Whitney Houston. This stretched to put newly coined “supermodels” on the runway, which in 1991, in 1991, wandered out at the sounds of lips George Michael1990 hit an “freedom!” Anthem
Carla Bruni, Claudia Schiffer, Donatella Versace, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford and Helena Christensen are walking the runway at the 2018 Versace Spring Show.
Enterprise/wireQuickly to 2018, Donatella staged a legendary tribute show to Gianni on the 20th anniversary of his death and brought the original supers back- Naomi Campbell. Cindy Crawford. Claudia Schiffer And more – on the catwalk again. It was a full circle moment that Versace’s legacy was not alone alive, it was thriving.
Since taking the steering, the Versace woman has been broken, carved and crafted exactly in her similarity. “She’s a luxurious woman,” is how Donatella was summarized at one time. “She wears an architectural wardrobe, made of beautiful cuts and fabrics. Perfection. A perfect dress is the best gift you can give to a woman. When a woman feels beautiful, confident and strong wearing a dress, that’s the best gift she can receive. This means me to do my work well. “
Donatella’s success of her inherent instincts, especially her early recognition of the powerful connection between fashion and Hollywood. Predicting specific celebrities in her designs during the creative process, she has organized some of the most iconic red carpet moments. This foresight led to Jennifer LopezA legendary jungle print gown in 2000 Grammys, a moment so effective that it triggered the creation of Google Image Search-which is a testament to their profound influence.
It is also one that put back on the runway in a similar design for its spring 2020 collection; When Lopez closed the show in that dress, he received the fixed oral meta moment and went viral again.
Jennifer Lopez and Donatella Versace walk the runway at the Versace Spring 2020 show.
Jacopo Raule/Getty ImagesAs much as it embraces a famous culture, Donatella also promotes inclusivity, making Versace a symbol of self -expression that goes beyond clothing. She is vocal for using fashion as a medium to challenge stereotypes and celebrate individualism. Versace remains relevant in a constantly evolving world, as can be seen in its ability to navigate the digital age and fake innovative collaborations that drove the brand to the 21st century.
Today, Donatella is the most socially-sealed fashion designer in the world with over 12 million Instagram followers (and count), consisting of all of Lil nas x and Miley Cyrus to Elton John and ;. In fact, Versace was one of the most popular brands in Milan Fashion Week last month, as the comments section saw consumers draw comparisons between Versace in the past and the present in praising Donatella’s defining influence on fashion.
As Business of fashion It was reported: “The concern of social media audiences about the future of the creative direction of Versace underlined the emotional attachment that people have with the brand’s history, proving that a fashion legacy plays a key role in its cultural impact today.” Add: “They responded to iconic house codes that are central to the DNA brand, such as Medusa Versace’s head and the aesthetic homage to previous collections, emphasizing the power of nostalgia and the importance of maintaining a strong visual identity.”
Long before that she also sprayed fresh young talent into the brand, hiring Jonathan Anderson and Anthony Vaccarello Before they took the reigns in Loewe and Saint Laurent, respectively. In 2009 she taped Christopher Kane to re -lan against Versace. Prior to that, he became a mentor to Kane (who was at the time in his final year at Central Saint Martins in London) when he heard from a journalist that he wanted a small piece of metal mesh complete a dress for his exam.
Since graduating from Versus Versace to launch her eponymous brand, Kane has said that her effect is more intense than she has acclaimed. “Gianni was one of the greats of fashion and together, they were part of something so progressive and new in the field of fashion history,” he said Sydney Herald morning in 2023. “Donatella challenged the perception of an association of how women could wear and feel. Even now, there is no student or fashion studio that is not pinned into a wall. “
Careful planning and action will be required carefully under Vitale’s leadership on maintaining Versace’s unique identity. “It is a truly honor to join Versace as the Chief Creative Officer and to be part of this special and powerful luxury house created by Gianni and Donatella,” Vitale also noted through Instagram. “Versace House has a unique heritage that has spanned decades and has shaped the history of fashion.”
Vitale continued: “I want to express my sincere thanks to Donatella for her trust in me and for her tireless commitment to Versace’s growth and its world impact through my vision, expertise and dedication.”
With Donatella stepping down, the fashion world counts with the future creative direction of Versace under a new stewardship. Its undeniable commitment to the brand’s legacy is undeniable, and will continue to be invaluable in informing this new chapter, even if it is a less practical job.