Who Owns Versace? Prada, Pieter Mulier and the New Era
Who Owns Versace? Prada, Pieter Mulier and the New Era
Versace is owned by the Prada Group, which completed its purchase of the house from Capri Holdings on 2 December 2025 for about 1.25 billion euros. Lorenzo Bertelli is executive chairman and Pieter Mulier has been chief creative officer since 1 July 2026. Our Versace edit and designer tote bags carry the current line, and our profile of Donatella Versace covers the years before. It sits alongside more than 200 houses in our A to Z of designer brands for women and men.
The Prada Group is also closing the diffusion line, and Versace Jeans Couture vs Versace explains how the two labels differ.
Key facts
- Founded in Milan in 1978 by Gianni Versace.
- Bought by Capri Holdings (then Michael Kors Holdings) in 2018; the deal closed on 31 December 2018.
- The Prada Group agreed to buy Versace in April 2025 and completed the deal on 2 December 2025.
- Lorenzo Bertelli is Versace’s executive chairman.
- Pieter Mulier was named chief creative officer on 5 February 2026, effective 1 July 2026.
- Mulier’s first Versace collection is expected in early 2027.
Who owns Versace now?
The Prada Group owns Versace. It agreed to buy the house from Capri Holdings in April 2025, and the deal completed on 2 December 2025 at a value of about 1.25 billion euros. Lorenzo Bertelli is executive chairman of Versace, and the chief creative officer reports to him.
That makes Versace part of the same group as Prada. For shoppers searching “Versace Prada”, the short answer is that the two are now sister houses under one owner, each with its own design studio and its own codes.
What was the Versace ownership timeline?
Versace was a founder-led house for its first four decades. Gianni Versace established it in Milan in 1978. After his death in 1997, his sister Donatella became creative director and led the studio for nearly 28 years.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1978 | Gianni Versace founds the house in Milan and shows his first womenswear collection. |
| 1997 | Donatella Versace becomes creative director. |
| 31 December 2018 | Capri Holdings, then Michael Kors Holdings, closes its purchase of Versace. |
| March 2025 | Dario Vitale is named chief creative officer. |
| 1 April 2025 | Donatella Versace becomes chief brand ambassador. |
| April 2025 | The Prada Group agrees to buy Versace from Capri. |
| 2 December 2025 | The Prada deal completes, at about 1.25 billion euros. |
| 12 December 2025 | Dario Vitale leaves Versace. |
| 5 February 2026 | Pieter Mulier is named chief creative officer. |
| 1 July 2026 | Mulier takes up the role. |
Who is the creative director of Versace?
Pieter Mulier is Versace’s chief creative officer. The Belgian designer was named on 5 February 2026 and started on 1 July 2026, reporting to Lorenzo Bertelli. Before Versace he was creative director of Alaïa from 2021 to 2026, and he is a long-time collaborator of Raf Simons. If you like the sculpted line he brought to Alaïa, our Alaïa edit is the place to start.
Versace did not show at Milan Fashion Week in September 2026. His first collection for the house is expected in early 2027, so the pieces on sale now still reflect the pre-Mulier studio, from Medusa totes to the Vivian and Severine shoulder bags.
Who is Dario Vitale?
Dario Vitale was Versace’s chief creative officer for a short spell between Donatella and Mulier. He came from Miu Miu, where he had been design and image director, and was named in March 2025. He showed one collection, Spring Summer 2026, in September 2025. He left Versace on 12 December 2025, ten days after the Prada deal completed.
Who makes Versace watches and sunglasses?
Some Versace categories are made under licence, which is normal for a luxury house. Versace watches are produced by Timex Group’s Swiss luxury division, Vertime SA in Lugano. They are Swiss made, and the licence runs to 31 December 2031. Versace eyewear, sunglasses and optical frames alike, is made under licence by EssilorLuxottica. Luxottica has held it since 2003 and the current licence runs to 31 December 2029.
Fragrance is a separate licence held by Euroitalia. Coveti does not sell Versace fragrance. For the watches and frames we do carry, see our guides to Versace watches for women and Versace sunglasses.
Shop the edit
- La Medusa Large Canvas Tote in Black and Gold, USD 2,470. The everyday Versace bag; carry it with denim and flat sandals.
- Vivian Large Leather Shoulder Bag in Black and Brown, USD 5,190. A quieter shoulder bag for the office.
- La Greca Stud Icon Watch in Gold, USD 2,500. Swiss made under the Timex Group licence, in warm gold.
- Medusa Deco Sunglasses in Black and Gold, USD 630. Black frames with gold Medusa detail for summer.
- Draped Envers-Satin Blazer in Black, USD 9,600. Evening tailoring; wear it buttoned with nothing beneath.
- Draped Silk-Chiffon Midi Dress in Light Blue, USD 11,190. Soft chiffon drape for a summer wedding.
Frequently asked questions
Does Prada own Versace?
Yes. The Prada Group agreed to buy Versace from Capri Holdings in April 2025 and completed the purchase on 2 December 2025, at about 1.25 billion euros. Lorenzo Bertelli is Versace’s executive chairman. Versace keeps its own design studio, led by chief creative officer Pieter Mulier since 1 July 2026.
Who owned Versace before Prada?
Capri Holdings owned Versace before the Prada Group. It bought the house in 2018, when the company was still called Michael Kors Holdings, and the deal closed on 31 December 2018. Before that Versace had been a founder-led Milan house since Gianni Versace established it in 1978.
Who is the new creative director of Versace?
Pieter Mulier is Versace’s chief creative officer. He was named on 5 February 2026 and started on 1 July 2026, reporting to executive chairman Lorenzo Bertelli. He was previously creative director of Alaïa from 2021 to 2026. His first Versace collection is expected in early 2027.
Why did Dario Vitale leave Versace?
Versace has not given a reason that we can verify. The confirmed facts are that Dario Vitale was named chief creative officer in March 2025, showed one collection for Spring Summer 2026 in September 2025, and left on 12 December 2025, shortly after the Prada Group completed its purchase of the house.
Is Donatella Versace still involved with Versace?
Yes. Donatella Versace stepped down as creative director in 2025 after nearly 28 years leading the studio. From 1 April 2025 she has been Versace’s chief brand ambassador. Day-to-day design is now the responsibility of chief creative officer Pieter Mulier.
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