Parent company Capri Holdings announced that Donatella Versace will step down from her role as creative director at the house her brother founded

Donatella Versace will no longer design for Versace, the 47-year-old brand founded by her brother, who was slain in Miami in 1997. Ms Versace has led the design team since then. Rumour has been circulating since 2017 that she might step down and has intensified when it was reported not longer ago that Capri Holdings, Versace’s parent company, was planning to sell the brand that they acquired in 2018. It was also said that Ms Versace’a contract with them was near expiration. There was no report of the renewal of that contract. Recently, the headline-making news was that Capri Holdings was planning to sell Versace. But more fascinating was that the Prada Group was interested in making the purchase. Prada fans were shocked at the keenness, thinking that Versace would not fit in the stable of Prada brands, and that Donatella Versace would not be able to work with the higher-ups in the Group, including Miuccia Prada.

There is already her replacement at Versace. It was revealed at the same time of the announcement of her departure that a largely behind-the-scenes designer Dario Vitale—formerly from Miu Miu—will take over. Mr Vitale cut his teeth at Dsquared2, before joining Bottega Veneta, when it was under the German designer Thomas Maier. His tenure at Miu Miu began in 2010, when he began as a designer until he was made design director for ready-to-wear. It is thought that Miu Miu’s recent success and visibility are partly attributable to Mr Vitale. When he left earlier this year, many had thought that he would be returning to Bottega Veneta. Now they’re saying Versace could be saved.

In a statement to the media, Capri Holdings shared that while Ms Verasace will no longer hold any design responsibilities with the Medusa-fronted maison, she will remain as “Chief Brand Ambassador effective April 1, 2025.” It is not stated if it is a remunerated role, but she “will dedicate herself to the support of Versace’s philanthropic and charitable endeavours and will remain an advocate for the brand globally.” Donatella has continued to keep the memory of her brother alive, as well as the brash Versace aesthetic very visible through the work she does and the celebrities who support her, such as Jennifer Lopez and Naomi Campbell. She wrote on Instagram hours ago, “In my new role as Chief Brand Ambassador, I will remain Versace’s most passionate supporter. Versace is in my DNA and always in my heart.”

Photo: donatellaversace/Instagram