Dario Vitale’s First Versace Show Redefines Everyday Glamour

PetitePaulina – When Julia Roberts appeared at the Venice Film Festival in a Versace blazer and jeans, the look sparked debate online about the brand’s new chief creative officer, Dario Vitale. But as it turns out, the outfit was no accident. Just hours before his debut show at Milan Fashion Week, Vitale made his intentions clear: he is less interested in fantasy and more focused on reality.

From Fantasy to Everyday Fashion

In his first collection for Versace, Vitale wanted to break away from the brand’s reputation for red-carpet extravagance. Instead, he presented something casual yet bold, closer to what people actually wear. His debut at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana museum featured not gowns or high-drama pieces, but T-shirts, sweaters, blousons, and jeans — all infused with retro flair and unapologetic energy.

“I’m very obsessed with products,” Vitale admitted, framing his collection as a statement about accessibility without sacrificing Versace’s audacity.

A Retro, Streetwise Sensibility

If you expected Met Gala-level gowns, you didn’t find them here. Vitale’s Versace leaned more toward East Village disco with a thrift-shop twist. Jeans were front and center — high-waisted, deliberately tight, and sometimes provocatively unbuttoned. T-shirts morphed into muscle tanks, while leather vests shimmered with embroidery. The result was a mash-up of streetwear and retro glam that might puzzle longtime Versace loyalists.

Vitale also drew inspiration from Gianni Versace’s iconic 1991 Marilyn Monroe prints, but instead of celebrities, he offered hand-painted faces resembling everyday muses — echoes of Jackie O, Sophia Loren, or Rudolph Valentino, but never exact. It was his way of connecting Versace’s past with a more grounded present.

A Sharp Departure From Donatella’s Vision

For nearly three decades, Donatella Versace built the house into a symbol of polished, fierce glamour. Vitale’s debut felt like a sharp detour. Donatella, now serving as chief brand ambassador, did not attend the show, but her absence underscored the generational shift underway.

Where Donatella emphasized power and drama, Vitale’s vision leaned toward imperfection and lived-in beauty. The runway itself resembled an aftermath of a wild night: unmade beds, makeup-stained pads, and clothes tossed across the set, all while George Michael and Prince blasted from the speakers.

Embracing Versace’s Legacy His Way

Previously the design director at Miu Miu, Vitale approached Versace with both reverence and rebellion. He immersed himself in Gianni Versace’s archives, visiting his homes in Milan and Miami, studying his art, and even analyzing his handwritten letters.

“Sometimes you understand a person more from his stationery than from a dress,” he reflected, highlighting his deeper dive into the brand’s DNA.

A New Era of Everyday Glamour

For Vitale, Versace isn’t just about spectacle — it’s about movement, fun, and freedom. “When it comes to Versace, I always think of people who want to dance, sweat, and enjoy life,” he said. His debut collection wasn’t about creating fantasy gowns but about crafting garments that feel real, vibrant, and alive.

Whether celebrated as daring or criticized as divisive, Vitale’s first Versace show set a bold tone: the house of Medusa is no longer just about red carpets, but about everyday glamour with a rebellious spirit.