Pieter Mulier
Chief creative officer of Versace
Pieter Mulier is a Belgian designer who became chief creative officer of Versace on 1 July 2026, following the Prada Group's acquisition of the brand. He previously revitalised Alaïa as its creative director from 2021 and spent many years as Raf Simons' closest collaborator.
| Role | Chief creative officer, Versace |
|---|---|
| Since | 1 July 2026 |
| Reports to | Lorenzo Bertelli, executive chairman of Versace |
| Previously | Creative director of Alaïa, 2021 to 2026 |
| Born | 1978, Belgium |
| Nationality | Belgian |
Who is Pieter Mulier?
Pieter Mulier was born in Belgium in 1978. Since 1 July 2026 he has been chief creative officer of Versace, reporting to executive chairman Lorenzo Bertelli. His appointment was announced by the Prada Group and Versace on 5 February 2026.
Career
Mulier trained in architecture before moving into fashion. He began working with Raf Simons in 2002 and became a key member of his team, following him through roles at Simons' own label, Jil Sander, Dior and Calvin Klein. He was widely described as Simons' right hand during this period.
In 2021 he was appointed creative director of Alaïa, becoming the first designer to lead the house after the death of its founder, Azzedine Alaïa. His work there was widely praised and he received the CFDA International Designer of the Year award.
Versace's creative leadership changed rapidly in 2025. Dario Vitale became chief creative officer in April 2025, the Prada Group completed its acquisition of Versace in December 2025, and Vitale left that month. Announcing Mulier's appointment, Lorenzo Bertelli said: "When we considered the Versace acquisition, we identified Pieter Mulier as the right person for the brand."
Influence on the fashion business
Mulier's career illustrates several current industry patterns:
- Long serving studio collaborators stepping forward as creative leaders
- Reviving a founder led house while respecting its codes, as at Alaïa
- Group acquisitions followed by new creative leadership
- The close working relationship between creative directors and group executives
Before joining Alaïa, Mulier stepped back from fashion between 2018 and 2021, after his time with Simons at Calvin Klein. The Versace role brings him into a group where Raf Simons is co creative director of Prada, renewing a creative connection that has shaped much of his career. His arrival completed a period of rapid change in which Versace had three different creative leaders between early 2025 and mid 2026.
Why it matters
Versace is now a central part of the Prada Group, and Mulier is key to its plans for the brand. His record at Alaïa, where he combined respect for an archive with a contemporary vision, makes his tenure at Versace one of the most closely watched creative appointments in luxury fashion.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the creative director of Versace?
Pieter Mulier has been chief creative officer of Versace since 1 July 2026. His appointment was announced in February 2026 after the Prada Group completed its acquisition of the brand in December 2025.
Who is Pieter Mulier?
Pieter Mulier is a Belgian designer who led Alaïa as creative director from 2021 and previously worked for many years alongside Raf Simons at Jil Sander, Dior and Calvin Klein.