Donatella Versace Steps Back A New Chapter for the Iconic Brand
On March 13, 2025, at 10:48 AM PDT, big news hit the fashion world: Donatella Versace, the famous blonde leader of Versace for almost 30 years, said she’s leaving her job as Chief Creative Officer on April 1, 2025. She took over after her brother Gianni was killed in 1997 and made Versace a bold, glamorous brand that everyone loved. Now, she’s switching to a new job called Chief Brand Ambassador, where she’ll help with charity work and support the brand worldwide. This change comes from problems with her contract, fights with her bosses at Capri Holdings, money troubles, and her own choice to slow down. A new designer, Dario Vitale from Miu Miu, will take her place, and there’s talk that Prada might buy Versace for $1.6 billion. So, why is this happening, and what’s next for Versace in 2025?
Donatella Versace’s life with Versace is all about strength and change. She was born on May 2, 1955, in Reggio Calabria, Italy, the youngest of four kids. Her mom, Francesca, made clothes, and her brother Gianni started Versace in 1978. Donatella got her famous blonde hair at 11 because Gianni wanted her to look like singer Patty Pravo. She helped Gianni a lot, and when he was shot dead in Miami on July 15, 1997, Donatella, then 42, took over. She owned 20% of the company, while her brother Santo got 30% and her daughter Allegra got 50%. Her first big fashion show was in July 1998 at a fancy hotel in Paris, with a runway over a pool a cool idea like Gianni’s.
Donatella made Versace all about power and fun. She dressed stars like Jennifer Lopez, who wore a green dress in 2000 that was so famous it helped create Google Images. She also worked with new singers like Dua Lipa and Megan Thee Stallion. She said, “Clothes should make you feel brave,” and her designs deep necklines, shiny fabrics, safety pins, and a snake-head logo did that. But it wasn’t easy. After Gianni died, she struggled with drugs but got better and built a strong name. Now, at 69, she’s stepping back but not leaving, and we need to know why.
The big reason Donatella’s leaving her main job is her contract with Capri Holdings, the company that bought Versace for $2.1 billion in 2018. It ended in February 2025, and they couldn’t agree to keep her as the top designer. The Hollywood Reporter said talks stopped in January 2025. Instead, they decided she’d become Chief Brand Ambassador. This isn’t just about papers it’s about fights with Capri’s boss, John D. Idol. Daily Mail said they didn’t get along well. Donatella wanted Versace to stay wild and special, but Idol wanted to make more money with safer ideas. They’d been arguing since Capri took over, and things got worse with money problems, so she’s stepping back but staying involved in a smaller way.
Versace hasn’t been doing great with money lately. From April to June 2024, it lost 15.4% of its sales and had a $17 million loss, according to Statista. In 2024, it made about $1 billion, down from $1.02 billion in 2023. This happened because people aren’t buying as much fancy stuff, especially in China. Capri, which also owns Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo, depends on Versace to make its luxury side strong. But with Michael Kors struggling too, Capri might sell Versace. Reuters said in March 2025 that Prada could buy it for $1.6 billion. Donatella leaving her big job might help Capri sell Versace by showing it can change without her, making it exciting for new owners.
At 69, Donatella’s ready for a break after 28 tough years. She’s dealt with losing Gianni, fighting addiction, and running a huge brand. On Instagram, she wrote, as CNN shared, “It’s been the best thing ever to keep my brother Gianni’s dream alive. He was the real star, but I hope I’ve got some of his energy.” As Chief Brand Ambassador, she’ll do charity work and keep Versace’s name big, but it’s less work. She was married to Paul Beck from 1986 to 2000 and has two kids, Allegra (born 1986) and Daniel (born 1989). She still owns part of Versace with Santo and Allegra, so this isn’t goodbye it’s just a new way to help.
Donatella’s step back is a big deal. Dario Vitale, who worked at Miu Miu, will lead Versace’s designs starting April 1, 2025. If Prada buys Versace, his style might mix well with theirs. People on X on March 13, 2025, had mixed feelings: some said, “She’s the heart of Versace,” while others said, “A new person could fix it.” Versace needs to make money again after 2024, and 2025 fashion is about being unique and green. Donatella will still be around, but Vitale will shape what’s next. Everyone’s watching: can Versace stay great without her leading, or will her spirit always be its core?