Pieter Mulier appointed Versace creative director after Dario Vitale exit

Versace has appointed Belgian designer Pieter Mulier as its new creative director, succeeding Dario Vitale, who presented his first collection for the house before being dismissed. Mulier, born in Antwerp in 1979 and trained at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, previously served as creative director of Alaïa since 2021, becoming the first external designer to lead the maison founded by Azzedine Alaïa. He was also a longtime collaborator and right-hand man to Raf Simons at both Simons' eponymous label and Dior. Mulier's appointment follows Versace's full acquisition by the Prada Group, where Raf Simons works alongside Miuccia Prada. Mulier is known for a rigorous, emotionally charged aesthetic that balances sartorial precision, experimentation, and cultural sensitivity. His collections at Alaïa celebrated form, movement, and materiality, prioritizing creation time over seasonal fashion rhythms. He will officially assume the role in July 2026, with his first show expected for spring/summer 2027.