
Donatella Versace Steps Down as Creative Director of Versace After 28 Years
After almost three decades at the helm, Donatella Versace has announced that she is stepping down as the creative director of Versace, marking the end of an era for the iconic Italian fashion house.
This announcement, made on Thursday, concludes a remarkable 28-year-long journey in which Donatella not only carried on the legacy of her late brother, Gianni Versace, but also became a global fashion icon in her own right.
Donatella, 69, took on the role of leading the luxury brand after Gianni Versace was tragically murdered outside his Miami Beach mansion in 1997.
Despite having no formal background in fashion or design, she quickly became the face of the Versace brand, her vision and fierce dedication shaping the company into what it is today.
Through the years, Donatella made history with bold and unforgettable runway shows that showcased some of the most legendary models in fashion, including Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford.
Donatella Versace walks her SS18 with supermodels Carla Bruni Sarkozy, Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford and Helena Christensen in September 2017.
Her platinum-blond hair and the unforgettable glam of the brand's runway shows became as emblematic of Versace as its gold, mythological logo.
"It has been the greatest honor of my life to carry on my brother Gianni's legacy," Donatella wrote in an emotional Instagram post. "He was the true genius, but I hope I have some of his spirit and tenacity."
Over her tenure, she was not only responsible for continuing Gianni's revolutionary vision but for ensuring that Versace remained at the forefront of the fashion world.
Emmanuel Gintzburger, CEO of Versace and its parent company Capri Holdings, spoke to Donatella's lasting influence.
"Versace is what it is today because of Donatella Versace and the passion she has brought to her role every day for nearly thirty years," he said.
In a significant shift for the brand, Dario Vitale has been appointed as the new chief creative officer, marking the first time in the history of Versace that the role has been filled outside the family.
Vitale, who begins his new role on April 1, comes to Versace after a successful career at Prada-owned Miu Miu, where he was most recently the design and image director.
His arrival comes as the luxury fashion world anticipates a $1.6 billion deal that could see the Prada Group acquire Versace from Capri Holdings, bringing Vitale back into the Prada fold.
In another statement, Donatella shared a look back at some her of her most iconic moments with the brand.
She captioned the post, "I hope I've made you proud so far 💜."
Looking ahead, Donatella expressed her excitement for what's to come. "Championing the next generation of designers has always been important to me," she added, thanking the company's design studio and employees. "I am thrilled that Dario Vitale will be joining us, and excited to see Versace through new eyes."
Donatella and Gianni Versace in their Milan home. Photo by © Stephanie Maze/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images.
As the fashion house enters a new chapter, Donatella Versace leaves behind an indelible mark on the luxury fashion industry, having not only preserved her brother's legacy but also built one of her own.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Express Tribune
5 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Natalie Reynolds seen distraught outside TikTok HQ after account ban linked to controversial prank video
A video showing content creator Natalie Reynolds in distress outside TikTok's Los Angeles headquarters has gone viral across social platforms. The 26-year-old influencer appeared visibly upset while attempting to communicate through the building's glass doors during a phone call, reportedly seeking reinstatement of her banned account. Reynolds first gained attention in 2022 through popular lip-sync and dance videos before expanding to prank content and collaborative skits with boyfriend Zachary Huelsman, building audiences of 5.6 million YouTube subscribers and 133,000 Instagram followers. ‼️TikToker Natalie Reynolds was banned from TikTok for deceiving a mentally ill homeless woman into jumping into a lake, by promising her $20.00, and then running away when she could not swim. Austin fire dept/paramedics had to pull her out of the water. — i Expose Racists & Pedos (@SeeRacists) June 9, 2025 TikTok is a career 😬 ... according to Natalie Reynolds and it should go with a messed makeup 😂 Note: She got banned after convincing a homeless woman to jump into the lake for $20 then runaway. — Miriam 🫶🇪🇺🫶 (@Polit1cswithM) June 10, 2025 'I can't swim - I can only float' Natalie Reynolds was a famous TikToker with 2.5M Followers - she convinced a homeless person to jump in this river for $20 and then ran away when she started getting in trouble. TikTok later banned her. Days later she was filmed outside… — Concerned Citizen (@BGatesIsaPyscho) June 10, 2025 The incident follows recent controversy surrounding Reynolds' May prank video in Austin, where she allegedly offered a homeless woman $20 to jump into Lady Bird Lake despite knowing the individual couldn't swim. According to NY Post reports, emergency services responded after Reynolds and her group left the struggling woman unattended. While the influencer claimed the stunt was part of a "scavenger hunt," the footage showed her walking away as the woman called for help. Reynolds attributes her TikTok ban to professional jealousy from fellow creators, though many online commentators have connected the suspension to backlash from the lake incident. The platform has not publicly commented on its decision. Since the ban, Reynolds has shifted focus to Kick streaming, where she regularly engages with her 33,000 followers. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between controversial content creation and platform moderation policies, particularly regarding potentially harmful pranks. Industry observers note the case exemplifies the challenges influencers face when balancing viral attention with responsible content creation.


Express Tribune
8 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Justin Bieber references ketamine in cryptic social media posts about mental health
Justin Bieber has sparked concern with a series of cryptic Instagram posts referencing ketamine and expressing frustration about societal pressures. The 31-year-old singer's messages, shared on June 7, included philosophical musings on self-worth, mental health, and spirituality—along with a controversial mention of the drug. In one post, Bieber pushed back against the idea that relentless hard work guarantees fulfillment. "People keep telling me there's more work to do after I've given everything," he wrote alongside an extreme close-up photo of his face. "I listened to fools who told me to work harder, but there's no end to trying to earn your spot in this life." He later struck a more optimistic note, adding, "You have everything you need right now." Bieber also criticized modern work culture, arguing that life should center on love, not labor. "God will always inspire you to work hard," he wrote before adding, "Stop playing God, please." In a more alarming post, he shared an AI-generated response suggesting ketamine—a legal prescription drug used for depression and pain management—has been misused to "control people's emotions," particularly targeting Black individuals. The "Peaches" singer then shifted focus to spirituality, writing, "I always knew Jesus was the answer to our pain." He questioned the pressure to constantly self-improve, arguing that excessive effort can lead to self-absorption rather than genuine growth. His solution? "Let go, not try harder." This isn't the first time Bieber has shared enigmatic messages. Just days earlier, on June 3, he called "loyalty" manipulative, comparing it to mafia tactics. "Love over loyalty forever," he declared. Amid his introspective posts, Bieber celebrated a major milestone for his wife, Hailey Bieber, whose skincare brand, Rhode, was acquired by e.l.f. Beauty—reportedly making her a billionaire. The couple, who married in 2018, welcomed their son, Jack Blues, in August 2024, with Justin occasionally sharing rare glimpses of their family life.


Express Tribune
9 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Khaby Lame deported from US under Trump immigration crackdown, resurfaces in Italy with social media update
TikTok star Khaby Lame has reappeared on social media days after being swept up in former President Donald Trump's intensified immigration enforcement campaign. Lame, 25, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on June 6 at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas for overstaying his visa. He had arrived in the United States on April 30. ICE, in an official statement, confirmed: 'Seringe Khabane Lame, 25, a citizen of Italy, was detained… for immigration violations.' The agency noted that Lame was granted 'voluntary departure' and has since left the country. Now back in Italy, the Senegal-born content creator resumed posting on Instagram, sharing serene images of himself walking along a leafy Italian street and posing with Brazilian soccer player Emerson Royal, who plays for AC Milan. One post featured an image of Venice Beach paired with 2Pac's 'Keep Ya Head Up,' suggesting a reflective farewell to the U.S. Lame's deportation ignited debate across social media, with critics questioning the rationale behind detaining an Italian citizen known for his global popularity and commercial partnerships. Lame, who boasts over 162 million TikTok followers, has worked with major brands like Doritos, Boss, and Binance. His rise to fame began during the pandemic, when his silent reaction videos mocking overly complex 'life hacks' went viral. In 2022, following public pressure, Italy formally granted Lame citizenship. Since then, he has walked the Milan Fashion Week runway, attended the Met Gala, and served as assistant coach at the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. Though he has yet to issue a public statement about the incident, Lame's signature shrug — and silence — appear to say it all. His name no longer appears in ICE's detainee database.