Dario Vitale Is the New Creative Director of Versace

After nearly three decades at the helm of Versace as creative director, this April, Donatella Versace will become Chief Ambassador of the legendary fashion house founded by her brother Gianni in 1978, whom she succeeded after his death in 1997. Dario Vitale will assume the role of creative director.

Vitale has been the design director and brand image director of Miu Miu since 2023, when he took over from Fabio Zambernardi, and until the end of 2024, Vitale has left a strong imprint on Miuccia Prada’s girly brand, one of the hottest brands of the moment. He was born in the Italian province of Salerno and has lived in Milan since the early 2000s, where he studied fashion design.

"It has been the greatest honor of my life to carry on the legacy of my brother Gianni,” a 69-year-old Donatella said in a statement. She will continue to support the fashion house by focusing on the brand’s philanthropic and charitable efforts, including the Versace Foundation.

Donatella transformed the brand's legacy, left by her brother Gianni, into a personal vision where sensuality and power coexist in balance. Her creations, recognizable by the opulence of the prints, the sartorial precision, and the casual use of precious details, do not simply dress the body. They enhance it and celebrate it. Each collection under Donatella had told a story of emancipation and charisma, in which femininity is never subtle, but decisively sculpted in sharp silhouettes and fabrics that capture the light.

"[Vitale] is an exceptional design leader and we are confident that his talent and vision will be instrumental in the future growth of Versace," brand owner Capri Holdings said in a statement. 

The Prada Group is reportedly getting closer to a $1.5 billion deal with Capri Holdings to buy Versace, though no updates were available at the time of Vitale's news. Should it go through, Vitale would, once again, return to work under the Prada umbrella.