Donatella Versace hails brother Gianni as she steps down from fashion brand

For the first time in almost 50 years, Versace will no longer be designed by a Versace.

- Morwenna Ferrier

Three decades after she started working for the company – and 27 years after she stepped into the role of creative director following the murder of her brother Gianni – the designer Donatella Versace has announced she is to step down from her role at the Italian brand at the end of the month.

“It has been the greatest honour of my life to carry on my brother Gianni’s legacy,” she said yesterday. “He was the true genius, but I hope I have some of his spirit and tenacity.”

Dario Vitale, 41, will become Versace’s creative director. A former image director at Miu Miu, the edgier sister brand to Prada, Versace will not leave the company but will instead become its chief brand ambassador. Of the new role, she said: “I will remain Versace’s most passionate supporter. Versace is in my DNA and always in my heart.”