After Donatella Versace announced she was leaving the family business back in March 2025 – transitioning into a “brand ambassador” role – Dario Vitale was announced as her replacement soon after. At the time, Vitale’s pedigree was emphasised as a huge reason as to why he got the job: a former designer director at Miu Miu, the Italian designer cut his teeth at Dsquared2 and Bottega Veneta, before working with Mrs Prada at Miu Miu for close to 15 years. As well as that, Donatella herself said that she was “thrilled” at Vitale’s appointment, while Versace CEO Emmanuel Gintzburger said that he was “a rare talent, who deeply respects the essence and values of Versace” and “will bring a new perspective to the brand.”

In light of those comments, made a mere nine months ago, today’s news is all the more confounding. According to WWD, Versace have confirmed that Vitale will be exiting the brand, and also added that the designer has not been spotted for the past few days at the label’s Milan HQ, despite his usual omnipresence in the office. In a separate statement from Versace, the brand added: “We would like to sincerely thank Dario for his outstanding contribution to the development of the brand’s creative strategy during this transition period, and we wish him all the very best in his future endeavours.” According to reports, Vitale’s departure was a “mutual decision” and is effective from December 12.

Vitale’s sudden exit also follows the Prada Group’s acquisition of Versace for £1.04bn, a deal that closed just two days ago. While nothing has been confirmed from either side, WWD has speculatively reported that Vitale “was actually eyeing a future outside of the Prada Group and that this reunion was not part of his plans.” Original speculation suggested that Vitale’s arrival at Versace was the influence of the Prada Group installing one of its own before the merger; however, that seems not to be the case. As Prada Group CEO Andrea Guerra is reported to have said, Vitale’s arrival at Versace was not a prelude to the acquisition.