Donatella Versace to step down as brand’s chief creative officer after nearly 30 years
On Thursday, Italian designer Donatella Versace, 69, announced her plans to step down as the chief creative officer of her eponymous luxury fashion powerhouse.
Donatella has held this position for nearly 30 years, having taken over after the tragic murder of her brother, Gianni Versace, the brand’s founder, in 1997.
Three things to know:
- In a press release, Capri Holdings Limited (CPRI), the parent company of Versace, announced that Donatella will transition to the role of chief brand ambassador starting on April 1. They described that position as leading “Versace’s philanthropic and charitable endeavours” and advocating for the brand on a global scale.
- Dario Vitale, who formerly served as the design and image director of Italian brand Miu Miu has been appointed to replace Donatella as the new chief creative officer. He will be tasked with advancing the brand’s vision and strategy.
- In a statement, Donatella expressed her excitement about Vitale’s hiring, adding that, “Championing the next generation of designers has always been important to me.” She also paid homage to her late brother, adding, “It has been the greatest honor of my life to carry on my brother Gianni’s legacy. He was the true genius, but I hope I have some of his spirit and tenacity.”
Want more? The Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast suggests and dissects the buzziest new movies, TV, music, books, videogames and more, five days a week.
Carrying on the family empire on
Following the highly publicized murder of Gianni Versace outside of his Miami Beach mansion— an event that has since been the subject of a polarizing TV series — Donatella Versace took on the challenge of carrying on the family empire despite having no formal training in design or business.
Her bold creative vision and distinct personal style have helped maintain the Versace legacy, which is associated with some of the most iconic red carpet moments and pop culture references of the last several decades.
Emmanuel Gintzburger, CEO of Versace, said that, “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. The universal values she stands for and her love for uncompromised creativity anchored Versace far beyond a brand or a company.”
More from NPR:
- For more on 90’s fashion icons, listen to NPR’s Ayesha Roscoe discuss Calvin Klein’s return to the NYFW runways.
- Want to get deeper? Listen to the It’s Been a Minute podcast, where host Brittany Luse goes beyond the obvious takes. Because culture doesn’t happen by accident.
Auburn fires coach Hugh Freeze following 12th loss in his last 15 SEC games
The 56-year-old Freeze failed to fix Auburn’s offensive issues in three years on the Plains, scoring 24 or fewer points in 17 of his 22 league games. He also ended up on the wrong end of too many close matchups, including twice this season thanks partly to questionable calls.
In a ‘disheartening’ era, the nation’s former top mining regulator speaks out
Joe Pizarchik, who led the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement from 2009 to 2017, says Alabama’s move in the wake of a fatal 2024 home explosion increases risks to residents living atop “gassy” coal mines.
‘It’s like feeling the arms of your creator just wrapped around you’: a visit to a special healing Shabbat
Members of Temple Emanu-El in Birmingham gathered recently for their traditional Friday Shabbat service. But this particular service was different, as could be seen by all the people dressed in their finest pink.
Space Command is coming to Huntsville. What might that mean for first-time homebuyers
While Huntsville has been a more affordable market than other growing cities, what’s it been like for those looking for their first home?
Colorado says relocation of Space Command to Alabama is ‘punishment’ for mail-in voting
The litigation announced by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser asks a federal judge to block the move as unconstitutional.
Breaking down Alabama’s CHOOSE Act
It’s been a year since Alabama legislators passed the CHOOSE Act allowing families to apply for state funds to use towards homeschool expenses and tuition for participating private schools. The Alabama Daily News’ education reporter Trisha Powell Crain has been diving into how the funds are being used. WBHM’s Andrew Gelderman sat down with her to talk about what we’re seeing so far.
