REFILE: Donatella Versace stepping down marks 'end of an era', says fashion expert

Record ID: 1983096

  • Title: REFILE: Donatella Versace stepping down marks 'end of an era', says fashion expert
  • Date: 13th March 2025
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (MARCH 13, 2025) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) DEPUTY EDITOR OF ELLE UK, LENA DE CASPARIS, SAYING: ''I mean, I think, you know, it's one of those roles where it's not entirely you know, I think it can vary between brands, but I think what it will mean is that we will see her more, you know, so this will give her the opportunity to be outside of the studio and p
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  • Keywords: Donatella Versace Fashion Versace
  • Location: VARIOUS
  • City: VARIOUS
  • Country: UK
  • Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Europe,Fashion
  • Reuters ID: LVA006862713032025RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Donatella Versace stepping down as the main designer for the Versace brand after almost three decades marks the ''end of an era,'' one fashion expert said.
    ''I think we perhaps knew this moment was coming ...(but) her presence will be so missed,'' Deputy Editor of Elle UK, Lena De Casparis, said on Thursday (March 13) a few hours after the announcement.
    Looking at the reaction to the news on social media, Casparis said outpouring of comments from the likes of
    singer Sabrina Carpenter and model Gigi Hadid show how adored she is.
    Donatella, who was the chief creative officer at Versace, has been its driving force since her brother Gianni, the company founder, was gunned down in Miami in 1997.
    ''Her brother, of course, made Versace a household name, but she really has ensured that it remains so until today....she's brought those VIPs, those designers, and really nurtured them around the brand.'' Casparis said.
    The move, announced by owner Capri Holdings CPRI.N comes amid reports that Prada 1913.F is moving closer to a deal to buy Versace from Capri after agreeing to a price of nearly 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion).
    Dario Vitale, who was until earlier this year the Design and Image Director at Miu Miu, a smaller brand within the Prada group, will take Donatella's role as Chief Creative Officer effective on April 1.
    ''There is ...lots of speculation, particularly with Vitale joining ...I don't think we can be sure entirely who will buy it,'' said Casparis.
    ''What I can say is that with Versace being such a strong brand, it will continue to be and continue to be adored by so many.''
    Donatella, 69, will take on the role of chief brand ambassador at Versace.
    ''I think what it will mean is that we will see her more .. this will give her the opportunity to be outside of the studio and probably more front facing for the brand,'' with Casparis going on to add that the move is ''really exciting'' as Donatella Versace will be ''brilliant in that role.''
    Vitale's appointment is the latest in a series of high-profile designer changes in the industry as it seeks to rebuild its business amid slowing luxury demand in China and inflation-weary shoppers.
    Earlier this year Gucci design chief Sabato De Sarno left the Italian label after less than two years in the job.
    Versace reported a 6.6% drop in revenues to $1.03 billion for the fiscal year ending March 2024. Sales are seen to fall further to $810 million in 2025, before returning to growth in 2027.
    Versace, founded by Gianni Versace in Milan in 1978, was bought by U.S. group Michael Kors, now known as Capri Holdings, for 1.8 billion euros ($1.9 billion) in 2018. The Versace family received 150 million euros of the sale price in Capri shares.
    (production: Sarah Mills)
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