Versace Is Not the Right Fit for Prada's High Fashion Strategy

A mix of two distinct aesthetics will risk a wardrobe malfunction

- ANDREA FELSTED

Ready for Pradace, anyone? Italian luxury group Prada may be evaluating a purchase of rival Versace, owned by Capri Holdings Ltd, as reported. Collaborations are all the rage in luxury—indeed LVMH’s Fendi teamed up with Versace three years ago—but Prada is one tie-up that should stay in the design room.

It’s not hard to see why Prada might be interested in the Italian house founded by Gianni Versace. For a start, Capri faces a challenging future, since its $8.5 billion sale to Tapestry was blocked by a judge last October and the two abandoned plans to become the Italian LVMH. Capri is now widely expected to sell Versace.

Although the Michael Kors owner acquired the label back in 2018 from the Versace family and minority shareholder Blackstone Group, it is still relatively rare for such assets to come onto the market. Versace is one of the most instantly recognizable fashion names in the world.