Fashion

Versace names Dario Vitale its new creative chief as Donatella becomes brand ambassador

Published

13 hours ago

March 13, 2025

And the merry-go-round of creative directors continues. On Thursday, Capri Holdings announced big news — Versace’s chief creative officer Donatella Versace is stepping down from that role and will assume the new role of chief brand ambassador.

Dario Vitale – ph Stef Mitchell – Lowres

Stepping into her shoes? Capri CEO John D Idol said that “Dario Vitale will be joining the House of Versace as its new chief creative officer. He is a strong design leader, and we are confident that his talent and vision will be instrumental to Versace’s future growth”.

Formerly design and image director at Miu Miu, he takes up the post on 1 April with his predecessor saying that “championing the next generation of designers has always been important to me. I am thrilled that Dario Vitale will be joining us, and excited to see Versace through new eyes”.

There was no mention of the possible sale by Capri of the Versace business nor of whether Prada might end up as its eventual owner. It’s certainly interesting that Vitale comes from Prada-owned label Miu Miu. Reports earlier this month suggested Prada was moving closer to a deal to buy it for almost €1.5 billion.

Vitale himself said he’s “truly honoured to join Versace… and to be a part of this special and powerful fashion luxury House created by Gianni and Donatella. The House of Versace has a unique heritage that has spanned decades and has shaped the history of fashion. I want to express my sincere thank you to Donatella for her trust in me, and for her tireless dedication to the extraordinary brand that Versace is today. It is a privilege to contribute to the future growth of Versace and its global impact through my vision, expertise and dedication.”

It’s a big change for the business with Donatella having been in creative control since the death of her brother and label founder Gianni Versace in 1997.

She will now “dedicate herself to the support of Versace’s philanthropic and charitable endeavours and will remain an advocate for the brand globally”.

Clearly the company isn’t one that favours a rapid turnover of creative directors and Capri chief Idol added that the latest changes are “part of a thoughtful succession plan for Versace”.

Donatella also said: “I want to thank my incredible design team and all the employees at Versace that I have had the privilege of working with for over three decades. It has been the greatest honour of my life to carry on my brother Gianni’s legacy. He was the true genius, but I hope I have some of his spirit and tenacity. In my new role as chief brand ambassador, I will remain Versace’s most passionate supporter. Versace is in my DNA and always in my heart.”

Meanwhile CEO Emmanuel Gintzburger paid tribute to the outgoing creative chief and her successor, saying: “Versace is what it is today because of Donatella Versace and the passion she has brought to her role every day for nearly 30 years. I am confident in the company and where it stands today, as we are well-prepared for the organisation to write this new chapter for the house. Dario Vitale is a rare talent, who deeply respects the essence and values of Versace and clearly understands it’s growth potential. We are convinced that his experience and vision will bring a new perspective to the brand.”

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Fashion

Debenhams in two-year sponsorship deal with The Jockey Club

Published

1 hour ago

March 13, 2025

Maxwell Hart

In-the-news Debenhams has turned its attention away from corporate matters to tell us the brand is heading to the races. The digital department store has signed a two-year partnership deal to sponsor The Jockey Club and its premier racecourses.

Specifically, the ‘Debenhams Day Spa’ is to launch at four of the UK’s key fixtures, creating “unrivalled moments of glamour and excitement” to deliver immersive race-day beauty experiences at some of the most prestigious fixtures on the racing calendar across 2025-2026.

It all begins with the upcoming Cheltenham Festival (15-18 March), followed by Epsom’s Derby Festival (7-8 June), Sandown Park (5-6 July), Newmarket’s July Festival (12-14 July), and the Grand National Festival in 2026.

We’re told the partnership unites “two British icons in retail and racing, blending Debenhams’ legacy of championing personal style and self-expression with The Jockey Club’s heritage of elegance and performance”. And the aim is “creating a modern space for racegoers to indulge in the very best of fashion and beauty from Debenhams”.

The Day Spas are luxury pop-up destinations that will provide spectators with interactive beauty moments and touch-ups using L’Oréal Luxe products (Lancome, YSL, Prada, Armani and Viktor + Rolf).

The spas will also feature pieces from the Coast at Debenhams fashion collections.

Beyond race-day activations, the partnership includes year-round branding across The Jockey Club’s 15 racecourses, “delivering consistent exposure to race-day audiences and an average ITV viewership of 400,000 across 85 fixtures annually”.

Dan Finley, CEO of Debenhams, said: “Horse racing embodies elegance, excitement and unforgettable memories – values that align perfectly with our ethos. Our Debenhams’ Day Spas will offer racegoers an irresistible opportunity to unwind, indulge and feel their very best throughout the day.”

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Fashion

New Balance launches new ‘Made in UK’ silhouette

Published

2 hours ago

March 13, 2025

Maxwell Hart

Best-know for its trainers, New Balance is increasingly turning its attention to the comfort/leisure footwear sector.

Described as a “new market opportunity for New Balance”, the introduction of the new ‘Made in UK Allerdale’ comes about as the brand “looks beyond only retro running by capitalising on a shift towards a more formal and tailored approach to fashion”, according to New Balance creative design manager Sam Pearce.

The ‘Allerdale’ is the latest addition to its ‘Made in UK’ collection with the all-new model “combining the brand’s “walking shoe heritage and contemporary design for a more formal aesthetic”.

Designed for both “comfort and elegance”, the Allerdale’s craftsmanship and style is paired with the brand’s signature FuelCell cushioning comfort technology.

The model features a cupped sole unit, with heavy-duty stitching and a hiking-inspired tread. Made with premium leather and suede, the shoe is finished with minimalist branding marked by an embroidered flying New Balance logo.

Pearce added: “Building on the legacy of our revolutionary Hiker models, and our lesser-known walking collection of the 1980s – which were also made in England – this design was born and named by its very surroundings. The ‘Allerdale’ is a modern expression of a classic style, built for those who want to walk their own path.”

The Allerdale, in brown leather, will be available globally online from 20 March.

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Fashion

eBay links with Nick Knight, Lara McGrath “to reimagine pre-loved fashion”

Published

2 hours ago

March 13, 2025

Maxwell Hart

eBay continues to develop its fashion resale category introducing a “groundbreaking” editorial and fashion film project, ‘The Goat Dancer’, culminating in the launch of an inspirational fashion edit.

The digital retail giant is “championing the transformative potential of pre-loved fashion sourced entirely on eBay” by joining forces with fashion photographer Nick Knight, stylist Lara McGrath and creative film/photography venue ShowStudio to develop the project.

With McGrath having established “an inventive and outré approach to styling” and Knight being “captivated by the stylist’s ability to layer and style pre-loved garments into visionary ensembles”, the stylist documents mirror portraits of herself in public changing rooms.

The ShowStudio collaboration brings that creative spirit to life “offering a treasure trove of fashion finds – all £50 and under – ready to be revived and reimagined”.

From scoring Jil Sander shoes for £30 to finding beauty in a Per Una chiffon top, repurposing a kimono into a fishtail skirt, or transforming a bedspread into a dramatic cape, “the project showcases the endless possibilities of second-hand fashion reimagined”.

With old-school glamour inspiring the hair look for the shoot created by Eugene Souleiman, and noughties-inspired make-up by Lynski, Knight and McGrath “crafted a surreal visual narrative that highlights the potential of reimagining fashion through sustainability and artistry”.

Live-streamed on ShowStudio, the shoot “celebrates individuality, reinvention, and the thrill of uncovering hidden gems in pre-loved fashion on eBay—proving that style, creativity, and sustainability go hand in hand”.

To celebrate the collaboration, eBay has also curated an exclusive ShowStudio x Lara McGrath edit featuring secondhand fashion pieces inspired by the shoot, “inviting designers to reimagine archival and pre-loved styles into fresh, relevant works of art that transcend time”.

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