Donatella Versace (69) took over Versace after the assassination of her brother, Gianni Versace , in 1997 and has since played a key role in shaping the brand's identity in the modern era. Her tenure has seen Versace expand its global reach while remaining true to its bold, glamorous and sexy style.

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The designer confirmed the news in an Instagram post on March 12, announcing that Dario Vitale will become the brand's creative director starting April 1, 2025.

The post reads: "Supporting the next generation of designers has always been important to me. I am thrilled that Dario Vitale will be joining us and excited to see Versace through a new lens. I want to thank my incredible design team and all the employees at Versace that I have had the privilege of working with for over three decades."

"It is the greatest honor of my life to inherit the legacy of my brother Gianni. He was a true genius, but I hope I have a fraction of his spirit and perseverance," the post continued.

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Donatella is the most followed fashion designer on social media, with over 12 million followers on Instagram. In an Instagram post on March 13, Donatella paid tribute to her late brother: "I hope I have made him proud until now."

Donatella Versace being "pushed out" of her family brand was a "huge - huge - mistake", according to fashion insiders, downplaying the role of the designer who built the company after the tragic death of her brother.

Versace reported a 6.6% drop in revenue to $1.03 billion in the fiscal year ending March 2024. Sales are expected to decline further to $810 million in 2025 before returning to growth in 2027.

Versace was founded in Milan by Gianni Versace in 1978, and was later acquired by the US group Michael Kors, now Capri Holdings, for $1.9 billion in 2018. The Versace family received $162 million in Capri shares.

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After months of speculation about Donatella's future at Versace as sales declined, John D. Idol, CEO of Capri Holdings, which co-owns Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo, announced that she would step down as creative director after nearly 30 years. Dario Vitale, former design and image director of Miu Miu, was appointed as the new designer for Versace.

However, a knowledgeable Italian fashion designer told Page Six : "They will regret doing this. There would be no Versace without Donatella."

Donatella Versace once brought the company to a billion-dollar valuation and built top relationships with many celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Anne Hathway, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Channing Tatum...