Rumors have been rampant within the industry for months that Donatella Versace was set to depart Versace as creative director. Today, those rumors became a reality – with the iconic fashion designer parting ways with the brand after almost three decades at the helm. More often than not, we have to endure months of wait for replacement announcements but along with the news of Donatella came to the news of Dario Vitale becoming Versace creative director. The Italian designer graduated the Istituto Marangoni in 2006, and began his career upon graduating at Bottega Veneta. Vitale later worked for a year at Dsquared2. Prior to his Versace appointment, Vitale was at Miu Miu, serving as both design director for ready-to-wear and brand image design director. Dario Vitale’s role at Versace will be effective on April 1.

Dario Vitale Succeeds Donatella Versace as Versace Creative Director View this post on Instagram

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Read below the reactions of theFashionSpot’s forum members:

“How to make Versace relevant in 2025… that’s probably one of the most difficult questions in the industry today. Good luck to him. I’m curious to see how it will look like.” [Creative]

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“This guy will have big shoes to fill in a legacy house but at the end this could work. Let’s wait and see.” [BalkaniStaCouture]

“I just hope he doesn’t try to do Intellectual Versace…” [Xone]

“Curious about what he’s going to do. Let’s see the degree of change they want him to bring but it’s going to take a hot minute to move on from the tons of hideous merch stuff they have.” [Thefrenchy]

“And Riccardo Tisci is still unemployed, enjoying his everlasting holidays. For that, Donatella really messed up. She could have controlled her succession with that big name.” [Lola701]

“I wish it were Riccardo Tisci.” [ecnerretneerg]

“I’m willing to give Dario Vitale a shot! Quite exciting to see what someone from outside the family will do for Versace. There’s plenty of strong and iconic house codes to play with, and I just hope he’s able to do it successfully. Time will tell, I guess.” [vogue28]

Share your own thoughts on Dario Vitale becoming Versace creative director and join the conversation, here.