After 27 years of an illustrious tenure at Versace, Donatella Versace is set to bow out as the creative director. The legendary designer and the face of Versace will take on a new role as Chief Brand Ambassador, while Dario Vitale will succeed her as the new Chief Creative Officer.
“I hope I’ve made you proud so far,” Donatella shared on her personal Instagram account, posting a carousel of some of her most iconic creations, campaigns, red carpet looks and the internet-crashing Spring/Summer 2020 runway show. Donatella Versace’s journey as the Chief Creative Officer was written in the stars. Following the death of Gianni Versace, the founder of Versace and beloved brother of Donatella, she stepped in and took over the baton from Gianni in 1997, ushering in her very own era of Versace-ness while preserving the DNA of Gianni.
Since then, the fashion icon has been the soul of the Italian fashion house, serving us maximalism, Italian extravaganza and overt sex appeal that shape what the brand is today. Under her helm, the Medusa label has been transformed into a billion-dollar powerhouse, having created pop culture phenomena that live rent-free in our minds. Remember Blake Lively in the Statue of Liberty-inspired, bronze-to-green ombre dress? Speaking of iconic moments, Lil Nas X delivered a true style transformation at the 2021 Met Gala, wearing not one, but three Versace looks that went down in the Met Gala history books. And how could we forget the infamous green tropical print dress worn by Jennifer Lopez at the Versace Spring/Summer 2020 show, which singlehandedly launched Google Images?
To honour the remarkable journey of Donatella Versace, we look back at 10 iconic moments that made Versace what it is today.
Blake Lively at 2022 Met Gala
Britney Spears wearing the iconic Versace dress
(@thatbritneypage)Donatella & Gianni Versace
Lady Gaga at 2013 American Music Awards
Jennifer Lopez at Versace’s Spring/Summer 2020 show
Lil Nas X at 2021 Met Gala
Dua Lipa & Megan Thee Stallion at 2022 Grammys
Anne Hathaway at Versace’s Fall/Winter 2024 show
Versace’s Spring/Summer 2018 show
Hyunjin at Versace’s Fall/Winter 2025 show
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