MILAN — Fashion designer Dario Vitale has found his next major chapter — and it comes at one of Italy’s most iconic luxury houses.
Armani Group announced on Sept. 16 that Vitale has been appointed creative director of Emporio Armani, while also taking responsibility for the accessories collections of Giorgio Armani. His appointment is effective immediately and represents a major creative shift for the company following the death of founder Giorgio Armani in September 2025.
The move also brings Vitale back into the spotlight after his short-lived tenure at Versace, where he designed only one collection before leaving the house following Prada Group’s acquisition.
From Versace sensation to Armani
Vitale joined Versace in 2025 as the first creative director outside the Versace family. His Spring/Summer 2026 debut in Milan received considerable attention for its bold interpretation of the house’s glamorous heritage.
The collection drew heavily on expressive colors, sensual silhouettes and references to Versace’s earlier decades, while introducing Vitale’s own contemporary approach.
His tenure, however, lasted only one collection. Prada Group completed its acquisition of Versace in December 2025, and Vitale subsequently left the company. Prada later appointed Pieter Mulier as Versace’s new creative director.
A much bigger opportunity at Armani
Vitale’s new position gives him considerably more room to establish his creative identity.
At Emporio Armani, he will oversee the brand’s fashion collections, while his responsibilities will also extend to Giorgio Armani’s accessories division. Armani Group said the appointment is intended to strengthen its creative organization while preserving the values and design language established by its founder.
It is also historically significant: Vitale is the first person from outside the Armani family to take this creative leadership role at the group.
The Miu Miu connection
Before his high-profile move to Versace, Vitale spent about 14 years at Miu Miu, eventually becoming design director for ready-to-wear and head of image.
That period gave him extensive experience working within a major Italian luxury group and alongside designer Miuccia Prada. He had previously worked at Bottega Veneta and Dsquared2 earlier in his career.
His Miu Miu experience is particularly relevant as Armani enters a new phase because Vitale has already worked on transforming the identity and image of an established luxury label while retaining its recognizable heritage.
Armani enters a new era
Vitale’s arrival comes at a pivotal moment for Armani.
Founder Giorgio Armani died in September 2025 at age 91, after building one of Italy’s most influential independent fashion groups. Following his death, his niece Silvana Armani and longtime collaborator Leo Dell’Orco continued overseeing the main women’s and men’s collections.
The company is also navigating a succession and ownership process outlined in Armani’s will, including plans concerning the future ownership structure of the group. Reuters reported that Armani is preparing to sell a 15% stake within 18 months of the founder’s death.
Against that backdrop, bringing in an outside creative leader represents a notable change for a fashion house historically defined by its founder’s personal vision.
When will Vitale’s Armani debut arrive?
Vitale begins work immediately, but fashion fans will have to wait for his first full Emporio Armani collection.
The Emporio Armani Spring/Summer 2027 collection is scheduled to be presented during Milan Fashion Week on Sept. 24, 2026, although reporting indicates the presentation will not be a conventional runway show.
That makes the upcoming presentation an early opportunity to see how Armani’s established design language begins to intersect with Vitale’s creative approach.
For a designer whose Versace tenure lasted only months but generated significant industry attention, Emporio Armani offers a very different challenge: not simply making an impact with one collection, but helping shape the next chapter of a fashion empire built over five decades.
And this time, Vitale has the opportunity to make the second chapter last.
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