For 20 years, she has been drug-free and has turned Versace into a global brand worth $2 billion, which was sold to Capri Holdings 6 and a half years ago.
When Donatella Versace took over the company after the murder of her brother, Gianni, most were certain that her ‘reign’ would be nothing more than a postscript. The blonde, untrained and drug-addicted younger sister was the industry’s worst-kept secret, and her appointment was seen as a purely sentimental one. Donatella proved everyone wrong. The house of Versace is now known as much for her as it is for Gianni. After 27 years, she has stepped down from the helm of the fashion brand, leaving behind an icon and one of the most successful designers in the history of modern fashion.
For 20 years, she has been free of any addiction and has turned Versace into a global brand worth $2 billion, which was sold to Capri Holdings 6 and a half years ago.
Donatella seemed destined to fade from the fashion books with Gianni’s sudden death, but her talent and determination transformed the luxury brand into a trend-setting force, making it desirable to consumers who had only known her as a designer. Gianni had seen and supported her instincts; the Versace pin motif was her idea. Donatella created pop culture moments, from Jennifer Lopez’s green dress to a stunning collection she designed with Dua Lipa in 2023. “Versace is what it is today because of Donatella Versace,” said chief executive Emmanuel Gintzburger when announcing what would come next.
Donatella will be the company’s main ambassador, focusing on philanthropic projects. From April 1, her place will belong to Dario Vitale, who has been the design and image director at Miu Miu.
“It has been the greatest privilege of my life to continue the legacy of my brother, Gianni,” Donatella declared, noting that she was “excited to see Versace through new eyes.” Up close, she is sweet and generous, cheerful and self-aware. Her hazel-skinned, platinum-blonde hair and petite silhouette on stiletto heels belie the absent ego of a designer of her size. She has passed down generations of supermodels from Naomi Campbell to Gigi Hadid. In 2017, Donatella created one of the most historic moments by reuniting the supermodels of the ’90s on her catwalk: Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington and Claudia Schiffer.
Today she leaves as a designer who defied all expectations by becoming an icon.
