Dario Vitale
Creative director of Emporio Armani and Giorgio Armani accessories
Dario Vitale is an Italian designer who in September 2026 was appointed creative director of Emporio Armani and Giorgio Armani accessories. He previously spent around fifteen years at Miu Miu and was chief creative officer of Versace from April to December 2025, the first designer from outside the Versace family to lead the house.
| Role | Creative director, Emporio Armani and Giorgio Armani accessories |
|---|---|
| Since | September 2026 |
| Previously | Chief creative officer of Versace, April to December 2025 |
| Earlier | Miu Miu, 2010 to 2025 |
| Born | 1983, Naples |
| Education | Istituto Marangoni, 2006 |
Who is Dario Vitale?
Dario Vitale was born in Naples in 1983 and is based in Milan. Since 16 September 2026 he has been creative director of Emporio Armani and Giorgio Armani accessories. The Armani Group announced the appointment through its chief executive and managing director, Giuseppe Marsocci, describing it as an important milestone for the group.
Career
Vitale trained at Istituto Marangoni, graduating in 2006. He started at Dsquared2 and then worked at Bottega Veneta under Tomas Maier. In 2010 he joined Miu Miu, where he worked closely with Miuccia Prada and became design director for ready to wear and director of brand image. He left Miu Miu in early 2025.
On 1 April 2025 he became chief creative officer of Versace, succeeding Donatella Versace as the first outsider to lead the house's design. His debut collection was presented on 26 September 2025 at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana in Milan. Vanessa Friedman of The New York Times described it as "one of the most buzzed about, debated and potentially influential" recent collections. Vitale left Versace in December 2025, shortly after the Prada Group completed its acquisition of the brand, having shown a single main collection.
In September 2026 the Armani Group appointed him to lead Emporio Armani and Giorgio Armani accessories, the first time someone outside the Armani family has held this creative role.
Influence on the fashion business
Vitale's recent career reflects several themes in the luxury industry:
- Long serving studio talents from major houses stepping into leading roles
- The effect of changes in ownership on creative leadership
- Succession at family founded Italian houses
- Creative roles focused on specific lines and categories such as accessories
Vitale's long tenure at Miu Miu spanned both ready to wear design and brand image, experience that bridges the creative and communication sides of a modern luxury house. At Armani his remit combines one of the group's main ready to wear lines with responsibility for Giorgio Armani accessories, joining apparel and category leadership in a single role.
Why it matters
Vitale's appointments at Versace and then Armani place him at the centre of two of the most significant succession stories in Italian fashion. His role at Emporio Armani will be closely followed as a sign of how the Armani Group evolves its creative direction while respecting the founder's aesthetic.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Dario Vitale?
Dario Vitale is an Italian designer who was appointed creative director of Emporio Armani and Giorgio Armani accessories in September 2026. He previously worked at Miu Miu from 2010 and led Versace as chief creative officer in 2025.
Why did Dario Vitale leave Versace?
Vitale left Versace in December 2025, shortly after the Prada Group completed its acquisition of the brand, having presented one main collection. Pieter Mulier was later named chief creative officer of Versace from July 2026.