Donatella Versace

Donatella Francesca Versace

Donatella Versace is an Italian fashion designer who led the creative direction of Versace after the 1997 death of her brother, founder Gianni Versace. She became the fashion house's Chief Brand Ambassador effective April 1, 2025.

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About Donatella Versace

Profile information current to 2026-08-22.

Italy · Fashion designer · 1 affiliation

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Known for: Fashion design; Creative leadership at Versace; Fashion-industry philanthropy and advocacy
Country: Italy

Fashion designer

At a glance

She became Versace's Chief Brand Ambassador effective April 1, 2025.
She assumed creative leadership at Versace following Gianni Versace's death in 1997, although sources differ on whether her formal appointment as creative director occurred in 1997 or 1998.
Her earlier work at the company included responsibility for advertising campaigns and direction of the Versus brand.
She received the Humanitarian Award for Equity and Inclusivity at the 2023 CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards.

Background and entry into fashion

Born in Reggio Calabria, Italy, on May 2, 1955, Donatella Versace is the younger sister of Versace founder Gianni Versace. She studied languages in Florence before formally joining Gianni Versace S.p.A. in the 1980s, where she took responsibility for advertising campaigns.

Creative leadership at Versace

Versace placed her in charge of the Versus brand in 1993. After Gianni Versace's death in 1997, she assumed creative leadership and became central to carrying the fashion house forward. Sources agree on the post-1997 transition but differ on whether her formal appointment as creative director dates to 1997 or 1998.

Chief Brand Ambassador

Donatella Versace moved into the role of Chief Brand Ambassador on April 1, 2025. Vogue continued to identify her in that position in June 2026, but the reviewed materials do not specify the terms of the appointment following Prada Group's acquisition of Versace in December 2025.

Advocacy and recognition

Her public contribution has extended beyond design and brand leadership to fashion-industry advocacy. In 2023, she received the Humanitarian Award for Equity and Inclusivity at the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards.

Affiliations

Versace Chief Brand Ambassador 2025-04-01–present

Timeline

1955-05-02 Born in Reggio Calabria, Italy.
1993 Assigned direction of the Versus brand.
1997 Assumed creative leadership responsibilities at Versace after Gianni Versace's death.
2023 Received the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards Humanitarian Award for Equity and Inclusivity.
2025-04-01 Became Versace Chief Brand Ambassador.

Additional verified details

Current context

Donatella Versace is reported as Versace's Chief Brand Ambassador. Capri Holdings announced the role as effective April 1, 2025. Vogue continued to describe her as Chief Brand Ambassador on June 24, 2026; no later formal public statement changing the role was identified in the reviewed materials before the as-of date.
Versace is part of Prada Group. Prada Group announced completion of its acquisition of Versace from Capri Holdings on December 2, 2025.
Pieter Mulier is Versace's Chief Creative Officer. Prada Group announced Mulier's appointment in February 2026, effective July 1, 2026; Versace's company profile identifies him as the brand's creative leader.

Biographical facts

She was born on May 2, 1955, in Reggio Calabria, Italy.
She graduated in languages in Florence.
She is the younger sister of Gianni Versace, founder of the Versace fashion house.
In the 1980s, she formally joined Gianni Versace S.p.A. with responsibility for advertising campaigns.
She was given direction of the Versus brand in 1993.
Following Gianni Versace's death in 1997, she assumed creative leadership at Versace and became central to carrying the house forward.
She received the Humanitarian Award for Equity and Inclusivity at the 2023 CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards.