Per Reuters, on February 5, 2026, Prada-owned Versace named Pieter Mulier as chief creative officer, effective July 1, 2026. Mulier leaves Alaïa, where he was creative director, and replaces Dario Vitale, whose exit preceded the announcement. Mulier will report to Versace chairman Lorenzo Bertelli, per the joint announcement by Prada Group and Versace.
Why this pairing is stranger — and smarter — than it looks
Versace's house code is loud: baroque prints, gold hardware, safety pins. Mulier built his name on restraint — first as Raf Simons' longtime right hand at Dior and Calvin Klein, then by giving Alaïa a quieter, body-conscious modernity. Putting him at Versace is not a like-for-like swap; it is a deliberate bet that the house's next chapter is sexiness through cut and fabric rather than logo density. His first Versace collection is expected with the spring 2027 shows, which gives the Atelier Versace workshops time to translate his tailoring obsession into the house's language.
Context matters here: Prada Group completed its acquisition of Versace from Capri Holdings in 2025, per Reuters reporting on the deal, and Mulier is the new ownership's first real creative statement for the brand. Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons both know him well — he was Simons' deputy for over a decade — so this is the closest thing to a house appointment by trust.
What it means for your wardrobe and budget
Two practical notes. First, if you love current Versace under Vitale, buy it now: collections designed by an exiting creative director typically get thinner retail support, and selected pieces start appearing on resale platforms at discounts within a season. Second, do not rush to pre-order anything 'new Versace' — the Mulier effect will not show up on a sales floor before late 2026 at the earliest, so any 'new era' markdowns you see this year are marketing, not his work.
The detail worth flagging: the title. Versace did not name Mulier 'creative director' — per the announcement he becomes 'chief creative officer', a corporate-flavored title that mirrors how Prada Group structures its own leadership. Expect him to have a say beyond clothes, in campaigns and store design, which is where Alaïa's recent buzz actually came from.
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