For months, the fashion industry buzzed with speculation regarding Donatella Versace’s potential departure from her role as creative director at Versace. Today, those whispers were confirmed as the renowned designer officially parted ways with the brand after nearly three decades of transformative leadership. While the fashion world typically endures prolonged waits for news of successors, the announcement of Donatella’s exit was closely followed by the revelation that Dario Vitale would step into the role of Versace creative director. Vitale, an esteemed Italian designer, graduated from the prestigious Istituto Marangoni in 2006 and began his illustrious career at Bottega Veneta. He further honed his skills at Dsquared2 before taking on a pivotal role at Miu Miu, where he served as both design director for ready-to-wear collections and brand image design director. His appointment at Versace will officially commence on April 1.
Dario Vitale Steps into the Role of Versace Creative Director Following Donatella Versace
Discover the Forum Reactions to Dario Vitale’s Appointment as Versace Creative Director
“How to make Versace relevant in 2025… that’s probably one of the most challenging questions in the industry today. Good luck to him. I’m intrigued to see how his vision will manifest.” [Creative]
“This new creative director will have big shoes to fill in a house with such a rich legacy, but this could ultimately work well. Let’s wait and see how it unfolds.” [BalkaniStaCouture]
“I just hope he doesn’t attempt to craft an overly intellectual version of Versace…” [Xone]
“I’m curious about the direction he plans to take. Let’s observe how much change they expect from him, but it will definitely take time to move away from the vast amount of outdated merchandise they currently possess.” [Thefrenchy]
“And Riccardo Tisci remains without a role, enjoying what seems like an endless vacation. For that, Donatella certainly made a misstep. She had the opportunity to manage her succession with a high-profile name.” [Lola701]
“I wish it had been Riccardo Tisci.” [ecnerretneerg]
“I’m ready to give Dario Vitale a chance! It’s exciting to see what a fresh perspective from outside the family can bring to Versace. There are numerous iconic house codes to work with, and I sincerely hope he can navigate this task successfully. Only time will tell.” [vogue28]
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