In a rapid and unexpected development,Dario Vitaleis set to leave Versace after just eight months as creative director, marking a dramatic change for the legendary Italian house. The announcement comes just days after Prada Group officially completed its $1.25 billion acquisition of Versace, accelerating a series of internal changes that analysts say could alter the brand’s future direction.

ContentsA short but impactful tenureThe rapid reshaping of the brand by Prada GroupAn acclaimed collection interruptedDonatella’s influence and noticeable absenceWhat comes next for Versace

According to a statement from the company, Vitale will depart on December 12, concluding a tenure that began with high expectations and culminated in one of the most high-profile debut shows of the spring/summer 2026 season. Despite the strong industry reception, sources say his departure reflects the new owners’ intention to install their own leadership as they guide Versace into a new era.

A short but impactful tenure

The confirmation of Dario Vitale’s departure ends a chapter that began in March, when he became the first non-family member to take the creative reins afterDonatella Versace’sfulfill a global ambassadorial role. His debut show in September was critically acclaimed for its bold colors and modern tributes toGianni Versace’siconic legacy, with buyers and editors noticing a renewed luxury positioning in line with market demand.

But even with that momentum, Vitale’s position became increasingly precarious following the April announcement that the Prada Group would acquire the house of Capri Holdings. While Vitale was previously design director at Miu Miu and worked with him for more than 14 yearsMiuccia PradaInsiders reported that Prada’s top leadership was reluctant to back him as Versace’s long-term creative head.

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The rapid reshaping of the brand by Prada Group

The timing of the announcement, just 48 hours after the completion of the acquisition, indicates that Prada Group’s internal strategy was already firmly in place. CEOAndrea Guerrafrequently avoided questions in recent months about Vitale’s future at Versace, and market observers believed the group wanted a creative leader whose vision more closely aligned with his own.

To further complicate matters, sources said Vitale himself had considered opportunities outside the Prada ecosystem, despite being welcomed back into the job due to his short tenure at Versace. His quick departure, described by the brand as a“mutual decision”,reflects a mix of business recalibration and personal timing.

An acclaimed collection interrupted

Vitale’s only runway offering for Versace created real excitement among buyers. His approach brought the label back into the luxury arena, a shift supported by early pricing data from luxury retailer Moda Operandi, where belts started at around $900 and ornate gowns topped $26,000. Retail strategists widely viewed this as the right direction to restore the house’s prestige after years of brand dilution under former ownership.

Yet in the context of a major takeover, even a strong creative debut could not outweigh the new owners’ long-term plans. Prada Group’s intention to redefine Versace became increasingly clear as leadership structures changed and speculation increased.

Donatella’s influence and noticeable absence

Although Donatella Versace celebrated the sale in April and publicly supported the transition, her absence from Vitale’s spring/summer 2026 debut, a show that was a late addition to the fashion week calendar, fueled rumors about the creative tension underlying the season. Her continued presence as a global ambassador ensures she remains an influential figure in the brand’s cultural identity, but creative leadership decisions now rest firmly with Prada Group.

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What comes next for Versace

While Versace has not yet revealed who will replace Dario Vitale, the company says a new creative configuration will be announced“in due course.”For the time being, the design team will operate under the leadership of the CEOEmmanuel GintzburgerwhileLorenzo BertelliHe is expected to become executive chairman, a move that further solidifies Prada’s integration of the brand.

The stakes are high: Versace is undergoing its most significant transformation since Gianni Versace’s death in 1997. And while Vitale’s tenure was short-lived, his departure underlines the fast-changing and high-pressure nature of creative leadership in the luxury sector, especially when a multibillion-dollar takeover resets the playing field.

What remains clear is that Versace is preparing for a new creative era, one shaped not by continuity, but by reinvention.

Featured image: Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images

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