Freshly appointed Dario Vitale exits Versace days after Prada Group acquisition

Just two days after the Prada Group officially completed its acquisition of Versace from Capri Holdings, the house is facing its first major creative shake-up: Chief Creative Officer Dario Vitale is exiting the brand.

The designer, known for being a constant presence at the Milan offices and a relentless workaholic, has not been seen for several days, according to WWD's sources. Asked for confirmation, Versace acknowledged that Vitale will depart, though the timing and the future creative direction have not yet been disclosed.

The news lands at a pivotal moment. On Tuesday, Prada Group completed its purchase of Versace - a deal first announced in April. This is one of the most significant deals in recent luxury fashion history. The acquisition now returns Versace to Italian ownership and positions Prada Group as a stronger competitor to European giants like LVMH and Kering.

Dario Vitale

Prada Group’s CEO, Lorenzo Bertelli, previously expressed confidence in the scale-up ahead, stating: "We believe scaling Versace is going to be a big job, but it’s something we are already prepared to do. The potential is huge… We’re excited to evolve the brand."

Vitale’s sudden departure now raises questions about what "evolving the brand" will look like under new leadership.

Back in April, Donatella Versace handed over the Creative Director role to Dario Vitale, taking on a new position as Chief Brand Ambassador focused on philanthropic and charitable efforts. Vitale's first collection for the house debuted in September.

According to sources, Vitale, previously at Miu Miu, had been eyeing opportunities outside the Prada Group, and his move to Versace was not part of a larger acquisition strategy.

With Vitale now out before his first major runway moment, Versace’s next chapter under Prada Group begins on far more unpredictable footing. The industry will now be watching closely to see who takes the creative reins and how Prada Group redefines a house long shaped by a singular vision.