By Morolake

Who is Donatella Versace?
Donatella Francesca, born May 2nd 1955 in Reggio Calabria, is an Italian fashion designer. She became the creative director of the luxury brand Versace in 1977, following the death of her brother and founder, Gianni Versace.

Donatella was the youngest of four siblings. Unfortunately her older sister, Tina, died at 12 years old. This left her, Santo and Giovanni (also known as Gianni) to continue the Versace name. Donatella started studying foreign languages, a year after her older brother Giovanni started his career in fashion, hoping to be a teacher. However, this did not stop her from visiting him in Milan, as he heavily appreciated the opinions and feedback she provided him with.

Gianni Versace SpA was founded in Milan in 1978, with Donatella serving as vice president. From 1978 to 1997, she helped her brother Gianni while also managing her own lines, Young Versace and Versus. Versus ended in 2005 but came back in 2010, becoming important to the brand with Young Versace. In 1995, Gianni launched a perfume named Blonde for Donatella.

Disaster struck on July 15, 1997, Gianni Versace was killed by serial killer Andrew Cunanan outside his home in Miami Beach. After taking a break from the company, Donatella Versace returned to become the chief designer and vice president of Gianni Versace SpA. She acquired a 20 percent share of the company, while her daughter Allegra received 50 percent. Gianni’s brother Santo received the remaining 30 percent, and Donatella’s son, Daniel, was not given any part of the business after Gianni’s death.

What has Donatella done for Versace?
1: Leading the brand
After her brother’s tragic death in 1997, Donatella successfully navigated the brand through a challenging period maintaining its iconic status. Also, She lead the brand’s expansion into new markets, including real estate with the Palazzo Versace hotels, and collaborations with companies like Lamborghini and H&M.
In addition, Donatella is credited with evolving the Versace aesthetic while staying true to its signature bold and glamorous style.

2: Awards and Recognition
She has been recognized as a Fashion Icon by both the British Fashion Council and GQ, solidifying her status as a cultural icon, as well as receiving multiple Designer of the Year awards from various organizations. For example, she received the International CFDA Award in 2018, highlighting her global influence.

3: Advocacy and influence
Donatella has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, speaking out against discrimination and championing inclusivity. She has also used her platform to promote diversity and representation within the fashion industry. Her resilience and ability to reinvent herself have inspired many, and she has been recognized for her contributions to fashion and culture.

Versace as of Now
In March 2025 it was announced that Donatella was stepping down as creative director.
“It has been the greatest honour of my life to carry on my brother Gianni’s legacy. He was the true genius, but I hope I have some of his spirit and tenacity,”
– Versace said in a statement on March 13.
Donatella will be replaced by former Miu Miu design director Dario Vitale and will transition to her new role as chief brand ambassador beginning on April 1.

Dario Vitale
Vitale, who was born in 1983 near Naples, began his career at Bottega Veneta after graduating from Istituto Marangoni in 2006 and working for a year at Dsquared2. In July 2010, he moved to Miu Miu, where he stayed until late January, growing from the role of fashion designer to design director for ready-to-wear and brand image design director. He worked under the creative stewardship of Miuccia Prada for 14 years as well as alongside Fabio Zambernardi, who was design director of both the Prada and Miu Miu brands until he left in September 2023. Since the word got out that Dario was departing Miu Miu, he has been rumoured to be top contender for Bottega Veneta and Gucci among others.

Donatella Versace expressed her excitement about seeing Vitale succeed her and bring a fresh perspective to Versace. John D Idol, CEO of Capri Holdings, praised Vitale as a strong design leader who will be vital for the brand’s growth. Emmanuel Gintzburger, the CEO of Versace, also highlighted Vitale’s talent and respect for the brand’s values. Additionally, reports indicate that Capri Holdings’ share price increased after the announcement, suggesting positive reactions from the market.

The public is reacting to Dario Vitale’s appointment as Versace’s new creative director with mixed feelings. Some are curious and hopeful about the change from Donatella Versace’s long leadership, while others are concerned about losing the brand’s unique identity. Many want to keep Versace’s signature style without becoming too conceptual.

But what do you think of this? Will Versace continue to maintain it’s bold and maximalist aesthetic, or has Donatella Versace’s decision lead to the company’s downfall?