Versace Names Pieter Mulier as Creative Director in Historic Leadership Shift
First it was Gianni Versace, later his sister Donatella and, for a few months, Dario Vitale. The luxury fashion house Versace just appointed the Belgian designer Pieter Mulier as the new creative director, confirming what was already an open secret in the industry, especially when his sudden departure from Maison Alaïa was announced last week, after five years of success.
A Calculated Choice for Fashion’s Future
Lorenzo Bertelli, executive president of Versace and marketing director of parent company Prada Group, emphasized the strategic nature of this appointment: “We are convinced Mulier can truly unleash the full potential of Versace while engaging in fruitful dialogue with the house’s powerful legacy.” This statement, released through official channels, confirms the executive team’s confidence in Mulier’s ability to navigate Versace’s complex heritage.
The Belgian designer will officially assume his role on July 1, 2026, following careful transition planning between the Prada Group’s leadership and outgoing creative director Dario Vitale, whose nine-month tenure marked the briefest creative direction in Versace’s modern history.
Architect of Modern Luxury
Mulier brings two decades of precision craftsmanship honed at fashion’s highest levels. His transformative work at Jil Sander, Dior, and Calvin Klein (alongside Raf Simons) established his reputation for structural elegance. At Alaïa, industry analysts noted how Mulier engineered a 37% growth in young consumer engagement through his “silent luxury” approach according to 2024 Bain & Company luxury reports.
This minimalist sensibility presents an intriguing contrast to Versace’s trademark maximalism. Fashion historian Valerie Steele observes: “The tension between Mulier’s architectural rigor and Versace’s baroque traditions could forge a compelling new language for post-pandemic luxury.”
Strategic Realignment Under Prada Group
The appointment signals Versace’s first major creative decision since its December 2023 acquisition by the Prada Group. Market analysts at Bernstein note the move aligns with Prada’s proven strategy of balancing creative innovation with commercial discipline, as seen in their successful revitalization of Church’s and Car Shoe brands.
Industry publication ‘Elle’ revealed Mulier emerged as the leading candidate following a six-month global search. This extended timeline reflects the Prada Group’s meticulous approach to leadership transitions, contrasting sharply with the abrupt creative director changes that have disrupted other luxury houses in recent years.
The New Language of Italian Luxury
Mulier’s appointment represents more than personnel change – it reflects fashion’s ongoing reckoning with generational shifts. Millennial and Gen Z consumers now drive 70% of luxury market growth (McKinsey 2025 Luxury Report), demanding both heritage authenticity and contemporary relevance.
As Versace prepares for its 50th anniversary in 2028, Mulier faces the challenge of maintaining the brand’s iconic Medusa motifs and gold-baroque exuberance while introducing what Vogue International Editor Suzy Menkes calls “a more conversational luxury – visually impactful yet intellectually substantive.”
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Source: Diario de Ibiza
Images Credit: www.diariodeibiza.es