Donatella Versace may step down amid rumored Prada takeover

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 01: Donatella Versace attends "The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical" World Premiere at the Dominion Theatre on December 01, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

Fashion insiders report that Donatella Versace may be preparing to leave her role as creative director as her contract nears expiration.

A major shift for Versace

Italian fashion designers Gianni (1946 – 1997) and Donatella Versace at the launch for their new fragrance ‘Versace’s Blonde’, USA, circa 1996. (Photo by Rose Hartman/Archive Photos/Getty Images)

With parent company Capri Holdings rumored to be selling Versace to Prada, speculation has intensified over Donatella’s future at the luxury house.

Leading the brand through decades of change

Donatella took over in 1997 following the tragic murder of her brother, Gianni Versace. She maintained the brand’s signature glamour while modernizing its appeal.

Iconic fashion moments under her reign

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 29: Italian stylist Donatella Versace and american singer Britney Spears acknowledges the applause for Versace’s Spring/Summer women’s 2003 collection, October 1st, 2002 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

From Jennifer Lopez’s jungle-print dress to unforgettable Met Gala looks, Donatella has crafted some of fashion’s most defining moments.

The future of Versace without Donatella

If the Prada acquisition happens, it could bring new leadership and direction to Versace, marking the end of an era for both the brand and the industry.

Herbert Bauernebel

Herbert Bauernebel has been reporting from New York since 1999 and currently works for Bild.de, OE24 TV, and US Live. He also runs the news portal AmerikaReport.de. Bauernebel has covered nearly all major US events of the past quarter-century, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Barack Obama’s election, Donald Trump’s surprise victory, the pandemic, last year’s election showdown, as well as natural disasters such as hurricanes and oil spills. He has also reported firsthand on international events, including the Asian tsunami, the Haiti earthquake, and the Fukushima disaster. He lives in Brooklyn with his family and holds degrees in communication and political science from the University of Vienna. Bauernebel is the author of a book about his experiences on 9/11, And the Air Was Full of Ash: 9/11 – The Day That Changed My Life.