Donatella Versace is stepping down as chief creative officer of the influential fashion house that bears her family name after nearly three decades.
The Italian fashion designer and business mogul — often referred to simply as Donatella — took over the creative reins of the celebrity-loved fashion brand in 1997 after her brother, Gianni Versace, was murdered by a serial killer outside his Miami Beach mansion.
Starting in April, the 69-year-old fashion giant will transition to the role of chief brand ambassador. In this position, she will focus on supporting Versace’s philanthropic and charitable endeavors while continuing to advocate for the brand on a global scale.
Italian designer Dario Vitale, the former design and image director of Prada’s youth line Miu Miu, will take over as Versace’s new designer director.
The move, announced by parent company Capri Holdings on Thursday, comes amid reports that the Prada Group is inching closer to acquiring Versace for approximately $1.6 billion — in a deal that would combine two of Italy’s best-known fashion empires.
“Today’s announcements were part of a thoughtful succession plan for Versace,” John D. Idol, Capri Holdings’ chairman and CEO said in a news release. “Since 1997, Donatella has led the creative vision for the House of Versace and played an integral role in the company’s global success,” Idol said when announcing the shake-up.
While acknowledging that her late brother was “the true genius” behind the statement-making global fashion brand, Donatella said that she hoped that she had “some of his spirits and tenacity.”
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to carry on my brother Gianni’s legacy,” she said, adding that she’s “thrilled” with the addition of Vitale and “excited to see Versace through new eyes.”
Vitale — widely seen as “one of the most exciting and innovative upcomers in the Milan fashion scene” — said he was “truly honored” to become the chief creative officer of “this special and powerful fashion luxury House created by Gianni and Donatella.”
“The House of Versace has a unique heritage that has spanned decades and has shaped the history of fashion,” the 41-year-old said in a statement to the press.
