Donatella Versace leaves her post as artistic director, replaced by Dario Vitale

It's a major turning point for the fashion world: Donatella Versace has announced that she is stepping down as creative director of the House of Versace . The announcement, made today, comes after months of speculation about her future at the brand. Having led Versace 's creative direction for over two decades, Donatella will now assume the role of brand ambassador, continuing to represent the house with her inimitable style and charisma. Dario Vitale , former creative director of Miu Miu , will succeed Donatella as creative director of Versace. Vitale, known for being one of Miuccia Prada's key collaborators during her time at Miu Miu, will take the reins as creative director of the luxury house.

In a statement, Donatella expressed her gratitude for carrying on Gianni's legacy, saying, "It has been the greatest honor of my life to continue my brother Gianni's legacy. He was the true genius, but I hope to have a little of his spirit and tenacity." Donatella took over as creative director of the house a year after Gianni's tragic murder in 1997, and since then, she has transformed Versace into a global fashion powerhouse, renowned for its bold and glamorous aesthetic.

Under her leadership, Versace campaigns have featured international stars such as Madonna, Beyoncé, and Jennifer Lopez. The latter, by wearing Versace 's famous "jungle" dress at the 2000 Grammy Awards, helped establish the house as a pop culture phenomenon. Donatella's always spectacular runway shows have featured renowned models, resulting in memorable shows. One of the highlights was the Spring/Summer 2018 show, which celebrated 20 years since Gianni's death, featuring iconic supermodels such as Carla Bruni, Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, and Helena Christensen . Although Donatella is stepping down as creative director, she will remain actively involved with the House of Versace as a brand ambassador . She will continue her red carpet appearances, her philanthropic commitments and should probably be present at the house's next fashion shows, thus ensuring an unwavering presence within the Versace universe.

As for Dario Vitale , the fashion industry is now watching him closely as he takes the reins of the Italian House. His arrival at the helm of Versace is seen as a strategic choice for the future of the brand. " I am truly honored to join Versace as Creative Director and to be part of this unique luxury house, founded by Gianni and Donatella," said Vitale. "The House of Versace has an exceptional legacy that spans decades and has shaped the history of fashion. I would like to sincerely thank Donatella for her trust in me and for her tireless dedication to this extraordinary brand. It is a privilege to contribute to Versace's future growth and global impact through my vision, expertise, and commitment."

Dario Vitale 's arrival reflects a new trend in which designers, sometimes under the radar, are increasingly taking the spotlight. While this type of hiring has yielded mixed results in the past, with successes like Matthieu Blazy at Bottega Veneta, this change marks the beginning of a new era for Versace , with Donatella remaining a key figure while adapting to a new role, and Dario Vitale taking charge of the house's creative future. Fashion aficionados around the world are eagerly awaiting how Versace's legacy will reinvent itself under this new leadership.