Either it is an end, or an renewal, but this emblematic fashion brand, with 50 years of history, will soon experience upheavals. We tell you everything.
During the last Fashion Week in Milan, as during that of 2018, rumors began to circulate on the future of this prestigious Italian fashion house. Indeed, some whispered that she could be about to be bought, a scenario that had already occurred a few years ago. As a reminder, this house had been acquired by the luxury group Capri Holdings in 2018, after a period of uncertainty.
But this time, speculation relates to the artistic direction of the house. Since the tragedy of 1997, it is an emblematic figure which ensures the direction, carrying the torch of creativity. But rumors suggest that the latter could retire. And his latest parade seems to say a lot about the direction that the house could take.
It is of course Versace, a house founded in 1978 by Gianni Versace and his brothers and sisters. Since the tragic disappearance of Gianni, his sister Donatella Versace has been at the head of the artistic direction. On February 28, the house parade in Milan was a real tribute to the past, with silhouettes decorated with baroque patterns, leopards prints and the face of Médusa, emblematic of the label. Donatella has made many references to the old house collections: a skirt recalled the fall-winter 1987 collection, while a red dress evoked that of 1992. “With this collection, I am no rule. Only the rules of DNA Versace“She wrote on her Instagram account.
The creator’s outfit herself was vintage. She paid tribute to her brother by carrying a jacket that he had created specially for her in 1992. Could this be the way Donatella fareweed in Versace?
Her contract would have come to term in February and nothing allows us to say that she was renewed or not. In addition, according to rumors, the Italian house should be bought by the Prada group for 1.5 billion euros, half of the price initially requested, and much less than what Capri spent in 2018! It would be a way for Versace to regain its financial success of yesteryear after a somewhat complicated year.
The Prada group, which also has Miu Miu, experienced strong growth in 2024. Will the same be the same for Versace? What is certain is that the maximalist aesthetic of Versace completes those of Prada or Miu Miu, without competing with them. The future of the fashion house remains very vague. Will it be bought? And will Donatella Versace remain at the head of the artistic direction?