Versace has had one of the most dramatic years in its history, and it’s changed how a lot of people think about the brand’s clothing right now. Between a landmark ownership sale, a headline-making creative director debut, and an equally headline-making exit just months later, “Versace clothing” has become a genuinely news-driven search term rather than just a shopping query. Here’s a complete, up-to-date breakdown of where the brand stands, what its clothing actually looks like today, and how to buy it with confidence.
A Brief History of Versace Clothing
Versace was founded in Milan by designer Gianni Versace, quickly becoming known for bold prints, body-conscious tailoring, and a maximalist aesthetic that stood in sharp contrast to the minimalism dominating much of Italian fashion at the time. After Gianni died in 1997, his sister Donatella Versace took over as creative director, steering the brand for almost three decades and becoming, in the eyes of many, nearly as recognizable as the house itself.
That long, family-led era officially ended in 2025, setting off the most significant ownership and creative shake-up in Versace’s history.
The Prada Group Acquisition: What Actually Happened
In April 2025, the Prada Group announced it was acquiring Versace from Capri Holdings, the same parent company that also owns Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo. Capri had originally purchased Versace for $2 billion back in 2018, and Versace made up roughly 20 percent of Capri’s 2024 revenue. The deal was finalized at an enterprise value of 1.25 billion euros, and after clearing EU regulatory approval, the acquisition officially closed in early December 2025.
The move brought Versace back under Italian ownership, joining Prada Group’s existing portfolio alongside Prada and Miu Miu. Prada has publicly framed the deal as a bet on Versace’s significant untapped growth potential, positioning the acquisition as part of a broader push to build an Italian luxury counterweight to French conglomerates like LVMH and Kering.
Donatella Steps Down, Dario Vitale Steps In
Shortly before the acquisition closed, Donatella Versace transitioned out of the creative director role after nearly 30 years, moving into a new position as chief brand ambassador. She was succeeded by Dario Vitale, a Miu Miu alum who had spent close to 15 years working his way up to head of ready-to-wear under Miuccia Prada, making his appointment at Versace a strangely full-circle moment, given Miu Miu’s own ties to the Prada Group. Vitale became the first creative director in Versace’s history to come from outside the Versace family.
Vitale unveiled his debut collection for Spring/Summer 2026 at Milan Fashion Week in September 2025, staged at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana museum. The 75-look show leaned into an 80s-meets-’90s bourgeois Miami Beach palette mixing lilac, butter yellow, kelly green, and cobalt, alongside signature Versace codes like the Medusa symbol and sparkly checkerboard patterns. Vitale described his approach as being far more interested in reality than fantasy, aiming to bring the house closer to a casual, everyday sensibility rather than pure red-carpet spectacle. The collection received largely positive reviews from critics and retailers alike, and pieces from it were quickly picked up by Julia Roberts, Amanda Seyfried, Addison Rae, and Olivia Dean.
Despite that reception, Vitale exited the brand on December 12, 2025, just eight months after his appointment and only one collection into his tenure. The timing, arriving just two days after the Prada acquisition officially closed, led most industry observers to conclude the departure was tied to Prada’s broader restructuring plans rather than any failure in the collection itself. As of this writing, no permanent successor has been named, and Versace’s design team is reportedly operating under the guidance of CEO Emmanuel Gintzburger in the meantime.
What Versace Clothing Looks Like Right Now
Even amid the leadership uncertainty, the Spring/Summer 2026 collection remains the most current expression of Versace clothing available at retail, and it’s worth understanding what defines it:
- Tailoring with restraint — sharply cut suits and jackets that lean into Versace’s signature confidence without excess embellishment.
- A bold but controlled color palette — mixing unconventional shade combinations like lilac and kelly green in single looks
- Signature house motifs — the Medusa emblem and checkerboard prints continue to anchor the collection’s identity.
- Accessory-forward styling — oversized sunglasses, structured bags, and bold jewelry designed to accentuate rather than overwhelm the clothing
- Adaptable footwear — a range spanning towering heels to sleek flats, built to move from red-carpet moments to everyday wear
Menswear from the same collection mirrors the women’s line in its restraint, with close-cut jackets, elongated trouser silhouettes, and metallic or shimmering shirt fabrics that nod to Versace’s flashier heritage while staying more wearable day to day.
How to Shop Versace Clothing Right Now
Given the brand’s current transitional period, shoppers have a few different approaches worth considering:
- Buy from the current Spring/Summer 2026 collection if you want the most recent, still-in-stores designs, available through Versace’s flagship stores, its official site, and major luxury retailers.
- Look for archival or vintage pieces if you’re drawn to the more theatrical, maximalist Donatella-era aesthetic that defined the brand for decades; resale platforms and vintage designer retailers are the best route here.
- Watch for the Fall/Winter 2026 announcement. As of now, Versace has not confirmed its plans for the brand’s February runway show, meaning the next major collection direction is still an open question industry-wide.
- Consider the pricing shift carefully. Major ownership changes at luxury houses often come with pricing and positioning adjustments over time, so it’s worth comparing current retail prices against past seasons if you’re a longtime shopper of the brand.
Building a Versace-Inspired Look Without the Price Tag
Versace’s current aesthetic bold color mixing balanced with tailored restraint translates well into more accessible styling, even without buying directly from the brand.
- Anchor the outfit with one bold-colored piece, the same way Vitale’s collection paired unconventional shades in single looks, then keep the rest of the outfit simple.
- Add a structured bag rather than a logo-heavy one. A piece like a classic Coach shoulder bag captures a similar polished, purposeful accessory energy.
- Layer in statement jewelry sparingly. A single striking piece, like the options in our Kendra Scott necklace guide, mirrors Versace’s accessory-forward but controlled styling approach.
- Finish with a bold lip to match the collection’s energy. A vivid shade from our Guerlain lipstick lineup or our Dior lipstick guide can echo the confidence of Versace’s current color palette without needing a single Versace label.
- Take cues from Versace’s poolside-ready silhouettes. The body-conscious, confident shapes covered in our guide to flattering high-cut bikini styles share the same body-forward attitude that’s long defined Versace’s swim and resort lines.
What Comes Next for the brand
Versace’s next 12 months are widely expected to be a period of real transition. Industry reporting suggests the brand faces real challenges balancing Prada’s efficiency-focused ownership with Versace’s maximalist identity, and speculation continues around whether Donatella might eventually return in a co-creative capacity, similar to how Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons currently share creative duties at Prada itself. Until a permanent successor to Vitale is named, the Spring/Summer 2026 collection remains the clearest signal of where the brand’s clothing is heading next.
Final Thoughts
Versace clothing sits at an unusually pivotal moment right now: a new Italian owner, a brief but buzzed-about creative director era that’s already ended, and real uncertainty about what comes next. For shoppers, that means the current Spring/Summer 2026 collection is both the newest and, for now, the most stable reference point for the brand’s direction, while vintage and archival pieces remain the go-to for anyone chasing the more theatrical Donatella-era aesthetic that built Versace’s reputation in the first place.
FAQ
Who owns Versace now?
The Prada Group acquired Versace from Capri Holdings in a deal finalized in December 2025, valued at roughly 1.25 billion euros.
Who is Versace’s current creative director?
As of now, Versace does not have a permanent creative director. Dario Vitale held the role for eight months before exiting in December 2025, and the design team is currently operating under CEO Emmanuel Gintzburger’s guidance.
What happened to Donatella Versace?
Donatella Versace stepped down as creative director in 2025 after nearly three decades in the role and now serves as the brand’s chief brand ambassador.
Is Versace still releasing new clothing collections?
Yes, the Spring/Summer 2026 collection, designed by Dario Vitale, remains available at retail, though the brand has not yet confirmed its plans for the Fall/Winter 2026 runway show.
