Dario Vitale will make his debut as creative director of Versace with a presentation scheduled for September 26 in Milan. The event will take place during fashion week but will not follow the house’s traditional runway format. Instead, the Spring 2026 collection will unfold through a smaller-scale presentation, accompanied by a video component, according to WWD.
Vitale stepped into the role on April 1, after leaving his position as ready-to-wear design director at Miu Miu earlier in the year. Versace confirmed his appointment and announced plans for the new format, calling it an event “honoring the past and envisioning the future.”
The move away from the runway format signals a shift for Versace. In past seasons, the house embraced high-profile spectacles, inviting global celebrities to attend and walk the shows. Figures such as Jennifer Lopez, Dua Lipa, Demi Moore, Elton John, Miley Cyrus, and Anne Hathaway have all contributed to the label’s recent shows, alongside top-tier models and collaborators.
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Vitale’s decision to hold a more intimate event introduces a different tone. The shift comes at a moment of transition for the brand. In March, Donatella Versace stepped into a new position as chief brand ambassador after nearly three decades leading the design direction. Her final collection walked in February, built around the baroque prints that defined the house’s identity across decades. For that campaign, she cast longtime collaborators and models including Claudia Schiffer, Kate Moss, Kristen McMenamy, Amber Valletta, Natasha Poly, Saskia de Brauw, Liu Wen, Mica Argañaraz, Anok Yai, Mila Van Eeten, and Jacqui Hooper.
This debut also arrives shortly after news of a major ownership shift. In April, Prada Group confirmed the full acquisition of Versace from Capri Holdings for 1.25 billion euros. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2025. The acquisition ended months of speculation and placed Versace within Prada’s portfolio.
Vitale’s upcoming presentation will mark more than a creative debut. It also serves as a first glimpse into the direction of Versace under new ownership, creative leadership, and strategic focus. The scale, tone, and delivery of the event may point toward how the brand plans to operate moving forward.
