The Rumors Are True—Donatella Versace Is Stepping Down

This Paris Fashion Week, Donatella Versace took her final runway bow. After nearly 30 years, she is stepping down from her role as the creative director at Versace. She took on the role in order to protect the company following the 1997 murder of her brother Gianni Versace, who founded the house. She’ll instead be serving as a chief brand ambassador. Dario Vitale, who just stepped down this January from his role as Miu Miu’s brand image and Ready-to-Wear design director, has been appointed as Versace’s new creative director. The lines on his resume also include DSquared2 and Bottega Veneta. His first day as boss will begin April 1.

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In a statement released this morning, Capri Holdings, the parent company that owns Versace, in addition to Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo, called the decision “part of a thoughtful succession plan.” John D. Idol, CEO of Capri Holdings, has made no mention of plans to sell Versace, though hiring a designer from Miu Miu to lead the company hints toward such move. And not for nothing, Miuccia Prada, Miu Miu’s creative director, had hinted and interest in buying Versace just last month during Milan Fashion Week. “I think it is on everybody’s table,” she answered to a question about the Prada Group’s interest.

Donatella Versace has become a beloved member of the fashion industry, despite never being trained as a designer. She’d stepped into the role to protect and honor her brother’s vision following his murder, and she has remained a voice in celebrating ostentatious femininity. She once said, “I want to design clothes that say ‘this is a woman’s clothes’. Women are strong, and sexiness does not have to go against power. I can be more powerful than you as a woman and keep what I like. I don’t have to change myself to reach you, to talk to you, or to be relevant. That is what I’m saying.” For her final bow at Versace’s show two weeks ago, models Loli Bahia, Mona Tougaard, and Mica Algañaraz stepped out in a trio with Donatella leading the pack of them.