Donatella steps down as Versace creative director

Donatella Versace is to step down from her creative director role at fashion house Versace, after nearly 30 years.

She has held the position since 1997 and took over after the murder of her brother Gianni.

Versace has overseen hundreds of fashion campaigns for the Italian brand, also designing hotels and cars.

The 69-year-old will be replaced by Dario Vitale, who is a former design director for Miu Miu, and take on a new brand ambassador role.

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Capri Holdings said in a statement issued Thursday that Versace will now “dedicate itself to supporting Versace’s philanthropic and charitable efforts and will continue to be an advocate for the brand globally.”

It added that the announcements were part of “a thoughtful succession plan” and called Vitale a “strong design leader” whose “talent and vision will be instrumental in Versace’s growth.”

The company’s statement also thanked Versace for all she has done for the brand and for playing “an integral role in the company’s global success.”

Versace also posted her own statement on Instagram to her 12 million followers, saying it was “the greatest honor of my life to continue the legacy of my brother Gianni.”

“Versace is in my DNA and always in my heart,” she said.

“Cupidating the next generation of designers has always been important to me. I am delighted that Dario Vitale will be joining us and look forward to seeing Versace through new eyes.”

Donatella Versace has dressed some of the world’s biggest stars, including Madonna, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga.

She designed Jennifer Lopez’s green jungle dress in 2000 and Michelle Obama’s dress for her last state dinner in 2016.

Versace is also seen as the embodiment of the fashion house she built – always seen in the brightly coloured prints synonymous with the brand and platinum blonde hair that ensures she always stands out.

Versace, which was first founded in Milan in 1978 by Donatella and her brothers Santo and Gianni, was sold to the Michael Kors group in 2018, which was then merged with Capri Holdings in 2019.

The Italian atelier represented 20% of Capri’s €5.2bn (£4.3bn) turnover in 2024.