Donatella Versace Steps Down as Creative Director of Versace After 28 Years

After almost three decades at the helm, Donatella Versace has announced that she is stepping down as the creative director of Versace, marking the end of an era for the iconic Italian fashion house.

This announcement, made on Thursday, concludes a remarkable 28-year-long journey in which Donatella not only carried on the legacy of her late brother, Gianni Versace, but also became a global fashion icon in her own right.

Donatella, 69, took on the role of leading the luxury brand after Gianni Versace was tragically murdered outside his Miami Beach mansion in 1997.

Despite having no formal background in fashion or design, she quickly became the face of the Versace brand, her vision and fierce dedication shaping the company into what it is today.

Through the years, Donatella made history with bold and unforgettable runway shows that showcased some of the most legendary models in fashion, including Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford.

Donatella Versace walks her SS18 with supermodels Carla Bruni Sarkozy, Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford and Helena Christensen in September 2017.

Her platinum-blond hair and the unforgettable glam of the brand’s runway shows became as emblematic of Versace as its gold, mythological logo.

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to carry on my brother Gianni’s legacy,” Donatella wrote in an emotional Instagram post. “He was the true genius, but I hope I have some of his spirit and tenacity.”

Over her tenure, she was not only responsible for continuing Gianni’s revolutionary vision but for ensuring that Versace remained at the forefront of the fashion world.

Emmanuel Gintzburger, CEO of Versace and its parent company Capri Holdings, spoke to Donatella’s lasting influence.

“Versace is what it is today because of Donatella Versace and the passion she has brought to her role every day for nearly thirty years,” he said.

In a significant shift for the brand, Dario Vitale has been appointed as the new chief creative officer, marking the first time in the history of Versace that the role has been filled outside the family.

Vitale, who begins his new role on April 1, comes to Versace after a successful career at Prada-owned Miu Miu, where he was most recently the design and image director.

His arrival comes as the luxury fashion world anticipates a $1.6 billion deal that could see the Prada Group acquire Versace from Capri Holdings, bringing Vitale back into the Prada fold.

In another statement, Donatella shared a look back at some her of her most iconic moments with the brand.

She captioned the post, “I hope I’ve made you proud so far 💜.”

Looking ahead, Donatella expressed her excitement for what’s to come. “Championing the next generation of designers has always been important to me,” she added, thanking the company’s design studio and employees. “I am thrilled that Dario Vitale will be joining us, and excited to see Versace through new eyes.”

Donatella and Gianni Versace in their Milan home. Photo by © Stephanie Maze/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images.

As the fashion house enters a new chapter, Donatella Versace leaves behind an indelible mark on the luxury fashion industry, having not only preserved her brother’s legacy but also built one of her own.