Versace’s Creative Chief Dario Vitale Departs the Brand

Bassyonni

ago 1 hour

Dario Vitale is leaving his position at Versace, following a mutual agreement confirmed by Lorenzo Bertelli, the brand’s executive chairman. His departure is set for December 12. Bertelli expressed gratitude for Vitale’s contributions to the brand’s creative strategy and extended best wishes for his future endeavors. A new creative direction for Versace will be revealed soon.

Transition in Leadership at Versace

Amidst this transition, Versace’s CEO, Emmanuel Gintzburger, will oversee the creative team until a new leader is appointed. The search for Vitale’s successor has created speculation within the fashion industry.

Potential Successors for Vitale

Two designers are notably linked to the open position:

Anthony Vaccarello: The current creative director of Saint Laurent and a former protégée of Donatella Versace. He has played a significant role in the success of Saint Laurent since 2016. However, Kering, the parent company, is undergoing major restructuring.
Pieter Mulier: The creative director of Alaïa, Mulier has revitalized the brand since 2021. His close relationship with Raf Simons from Prada adds to the intrigue, but his current company may resist letting him go.

Background on Dario Vitale’s Career

Prior to his role at Versace, Vitale was the ready-to-wear design director at Miu Miu. He left that post in January, aware of ongoing discussions regarding Prada Group’s acquisition of Versace, which finalized just two days ago. At the time of his departure, there were expectations he would present a fall collection in February, with preparations already in full swing.

Versace’s Acquisition by Prada Group

In April, the Prada Group announced its acquisition of Versace from Capri Holdings for an enterprise value of €1.25 billion. This followed a significant leadership change; Donatella Versace transitioned to chief brand ambassador, stepping down from her creative director role after nearly three decades. Vitale took over and debuted his first collection in September, garnering positive reviews for his vibrant designs honoring Gianni Versace’s legacy.

As the fashion world watches closely, the future direction of Versace remains a closely guarded secret. The next appointment in the creative chief position could significantly influence the brand’s trajectory in the coming years.