According to WWD, Donatella Versace is stepping down from her role as Creative Director of the iconic fashion house Versace, marking the end of a 28-year reign. However, Donatella will remain an ambassador for the brand and continue to play a role in its advertising campaigns. Taking her place as head designer will be Dario Vitale, who previously worked at Miu Miu.
The Versace brand was founded in 1978 by Donatella’s brother, Gianni Versace. After his tragic murder in 1997, Donatella took over the reins of the company. Her initial collections were met with mixed reactions, and the brand faced financial difficulties. However, Versace’s fortunes turned around with the now-iconic green dress worn by Jennifer Lopez at the 2000 Grammy Awards. This moment became a cultural phenomenon and helped revitalize the brand.
From 2008 onwards, Donatella began releasing 12 collections annually, gaining acclaim for her delicate, sensual, and feminine designs that paid homage to the brand’s heritage. Under her leadership, Versace also played a key role in the resurgence of the supermodel era. Legendary figures such as Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, and Linda Evangelista frequently graced the Versace runway, and Donatella was known for generously compensating these star models.
Donatella’s departure marks the end of an era for Versace, but her influence on the brand and the fashion industry as a whole remains undeniable. With Dario Vitale stepping into the role of head designer, the fashion world will be watching closely to see how the brand evolves under new creative leadership.
