Donatella Versace has been named chief brand ambassador of her eponymous fashion house following the death of her brother Gianni, who co-founded the brand 28 years ago. Dario Vitale will take over as chief creative officer starting April 1.
Vitale was previously Miu Miu’s ready-to-wear design director and left the company in January. His appointment comes after a long-term contract renewal for Versace’s current chief creative officer, Donatella Versace, which was initially reported to be up for renewal earlier this year.
As part of the succession plan, Versace has dedicated itself to philanthropic efforts under Versace’s new role as brand ambassador. The company reached a $2.1 billion deal with Michael Kors Holdings in 2018 and is currently in exclusive talks with Prada Group about buying the brand.
Capri Holdings’ chairman John D. Idol stated that Donatella Versace will continue to champion the Versace brand, while Vitale’s talents and vision will drive the company’s future growth. Both parties expressed confidence in their respective roles, citing the importance of Versace’s values and creative direction.
Donatella Versace played a pivotal role in shaping the brand’s identity, connecting luxury with street culture, and overseeing various lines such as Versus, fine jewelry, and interior design. Her philanthropic efforts have also been widely recognized, including the Fashion Icon Award from the British Fashion Council.
Vitale hailed Versace as “a special and powerful fashion luxury house” created by Gianni and Donatella. He expressed his gratitude to Donatella for entrusting him with this role and vowed to contribute to the brand’s continued growth and global impact.
Source: https://wwd.com/fashion-news/designer-luxury/donatella-versace-departs-brand-designer-dario-vitale-joins-1237044496