Emmanuel Gintzburger
Chief executive of Versace from 2022 to 2026
Emmanuel Gintzburger is a luxury executive who led Versace as chief executive from September 2022 until June 2026, a period that included the sale of the house from Capri Holdings to the Prada Group. He previously ran Alexander McQueen and held senior retail and wholesale roles at Saint Laurent.
| Role | Chief executive of Versace (September 2022 to June 2026) |
|---|---|
| Previous role | Chief executive of Alexander McQueen (from May 2016) |
| Saint Laurent | Worldwide retail and wholesale director, 2011 to 2016 |
| Earlier roles | Lanvin, Sephora, Louis Vuitton Hong Kong |
Who is Emmanuel Gintzburger?
Emmanuel Gintzburger is a fashion executive with a background in luxury retail and distribution. He is best known as chief executive of Versace and, before that, of Alexander McQueen. When Capri Holdings appointed him, its chief executive John D. Idol said he had a proven track record of building global fashion luxury houses.
Career
Gintzburger held leadership roles at Lanvin, Sephora and Louis Vuitton in Hong Kong before joining Saint Laurent, where he was Europe retail director from 2009 to 2011 and then worldwide retail and wholesale director from 2011 to 2016, during the brand's strong growth phase within Kering.
In May 2016 he became chief executive of Alexander McQueen, working alongside creative director Sarah Burton. On 1 September 2022 he took over as chief executive of Versace, then owned by Capri Holdings, working with chief creative officer Donatella Versace, who said she knew he was the perfect partner when they met.
In late 2025 the Prada Group completed its acquisition of Versace from Capri Holdings for 1.25 billion euros. Lorenzo Bertelli became executive chairman of Versace, and the group reorganised the house's leadership. Gintzburger stepped down as chief executive with effect from 23 June 2026, with Versace saying further information on the new governance structure would be announced in due course.
Influence on the fashion business
Gintzburger's career illustrates the rise of retail and distribution expertise in luxury management. His experience covers:
- Building directly operated store networks and controlling wholesale distribution at Saint Laurent
- Running a creative led London house at Alexander McQueen
- Leading Versace through a change of ownership from an American group to an Italian one
Luxury houses increasingly rely on executives who understand store performance, assortment and channel control, because these decide margins and brand perception. Gintzburger's path from retail director to chief executive is typical of this shift.
Why it matters
Versace's move into the Prada Group was one of the most significant luxury deals of 2025. As the chief executive who led the house up to and through that transition, Gintzburger is a key figure for understanding the consolidation of Italian fashion and the role of retail professionals at the top of luxury brands.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Emmanuel Gintzburger?
Emmanuel Gintzburger is a luxury executive who was chief executive of Versace from September 2022 to June 2026. He previously led Alexander McQueen and held senior retail roles at Saint Laurent.
Why did Emmanuel Gintzburger leave Versace?
His departure in June 2026 followed the Prada Group's acquisition of Versace from Capri Holdings in late 2025 and the reorganisation of the house's governance, with Lorenzo Bertelli as executive chairman.