MILAN — Dario Vitale is exiting Versace.
In his first statement as executive chairman of Versace, Lorenzo Bertelli confirmed Vitale’s exit, saying that the departure had been mutually agreed upon.
Vitale will exit on Dec. 12, Bertelli said.
“We would like to sincerely thank Dario for his outstanding contribution to the development of the brand’s creative strategy during this transition period, and we wish him all the very best in his future endeavors,” stated Bertelli, adding that the new creative direction “will be announced in due course.”
In the meantime, the creative team will continue to operate under the guidance lead of Versace’s CEO Emmanuel Gintzburger.
Now the guessing game as to Vitale’s successor begins. Sources say there are two designers especially linked with both Prada and Versace that could fit the bill.
Anthony Vaccarello, current creative director of Saint Laurent, is a protege of Donatella Versace’s, who named him creative head of the Versus line in 2015. He has contributed to building the French brand’s success since 2016 but parent company Kering is in the midst of a major restructuring under new CEO Luca de Meo, who is said to be reviewing every business and brand under his purview.
Sources also pointed to Pieter Mulier, creative director of Alaïa, who is close to Raf Simons, co-creative director of the Prada brand. However, Alaïa parent Compagnie Financiere Richemont may be loath to see him go as he has been injecting new life into the brand since 2021.
Vitale is no stranger to the Prada Group as he was previously ready-to-wear design director at Miu Miu, which he left in January. Market sources said Vitale was aware that the Prada Group was in discussion to acquire Versace since the end of last year, even before he left Miu Miu, and that another designer was in the wings for Versace and that it was unlikely he would stay on.
Even so, Prada Group’s acquisition of Versace closed only two days ago and market sources believed Vitale’s contract had been renewed at least until February — when he was expected to show his fall collection for the brand — and that he was working all-hours with his team and scouting locations. Still, other observers had speculated Vitale’s exit could be imminent.
In April, the Prada Group revealed the acquisition of Versace from Capri Holdings for an enterprise value of 1.25 billion euros, shortly after Donatella Versace was named chief brand ambassador and left the creative director role after almost three decades at the helm of the brand.
She was succeeded by Vitale, who unveiled his first collection in September, receiving positive reviews from retailers for his colorful and audacious designs that he said embraced Gianni Versace’s legacy.
