Prada Moved on From Dario Vitale's Versace

On 4 December, 2025, shortly after Versace was formally transferred to Prada Group, Dario Vitale exited the house.

The speed of the change drew attention within the industry because it occurred immediately after the ownership transition, before any new creative phase under his direction had been publicly established.

Prior to joining Versace, Dario Vitale had built a reputation as a strong internal creative leader within the Italian luxury system. Dario Vitale’s debut was one of the most celebrated shows of the SS26 season.

During the same period, market speculation linked him to several major houses undergoing creative evaluation, including Gucci, where leadership continuity was under close observation. Dario Vitale ultimately chose Versace, a decision widely understood as a strategic alignment with a familiar executive team rather than a short-term career move.

The timing of his exit is significant when placed against the wider industry context of late 2025. By the time Prada Group completed the acquisition, most leading luxury houses had already finalised their creative director appointments. Givenchy, Hermès, Fendi, Dior, Chanel and other major brands had effectively closed the cycle of creative leadership changes. As a result, Dario Vitale’s departure took place in a market where equivalent senior creative roles were no longer available.

Dario Vitale’s replacement was not tied to a publicly communicated creative failure, commercial performance issue, or completed collection. Instead, it coincided directly with a change in ownership and governance. This positions his exit as part of a broader post-acquisition reorganisation rather than a conventional creative transition.

On this day, Dario Vitale’s departure from Versace became a clear example of how even highly regarded creative figures can be displaced by structural shifts beyond individual control.