Versace For Sale ?

While no official deal has been made by Prada, Donatella Versace has announced her retirement, sending shockwaves through the fashion industry. At her latest Fall/Winter 2025/2026 show, Donatella closed the runway with a bittersweet farewell, marking the end of her legendary tenure as creative director. Her departure has reignited speculation about a potential Prada Versace acquisition, with many wondering if Prada will seize the opportunity to secure a deal upon Donatella’s exit. 

We reached out to Prada for a comment, but the brand remained tight-lipped. The only official word? Many companies have expressed interest in acquiring Versace, and Prada is simply one of the contenders. However, insiders suggest Prada is the most likely buyer over competitors like Gucci, LVMH, and Hermès. If history has taught us anything, it’s that Bernard Arnault and his LVMH empire are not afraid to assimilate foreign brands into the French luxury market—just look at their Tiffany & Co. acquisition in 2021. Would they dare turn Versace into a Parisian label? That thought alone is enough to make fashion purists shudder. 

This deal, reportedly valued at 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion USD), seems tailor-made for Prada. After all, Michael Kors bought Versace in 2018 under Capri Holdings, an American company, but many argue that if a sale is imminent, the brand should remain in Italian hands. Prada, an iconic Italian house, would ensure Versace’s DNA stays true to its roots while strengthening Italy’s luxury fashion dominance. 

What Does This Mean for Versace? 

Since 1997, Donatella has been the heart and soul of Versace, defining its aesthetic with unapologetic maximalism in fashion. In her famous Vogue 72 Questions interview, she declared minimalism is the worst trend, a statement that cemented her belief in bold patterns, opulent prints, and fearless extravagance. Let’s be real—Versace without Donatella? It’s like taking the drama out of a telenovela, the glitter off a Y2K eyeshadow palette, the high heel off a stiletto. The Versace brand and Donatella are synonymous, and the thought of someone else steering this high-glam, high-drama ship is kinda terrifying. 

But whispers in the industry hint at change. Rumors are swirling that Versace has been in talks with Dario Vitale, the current creative director of Miu Miu, about a possible leadership role. Now, Miu Miu has been having a major moment lately (those micro skirts? Iconic.), but can Vitale bring the over-the-top, gold-plated, chain-link energy that Versace is known for? We’re skeptical, besties. If Prada’s influence on Versace means dialing down the drama, we’re filing an official complaint. 

With Prada’s history of sleek, intellectual minimalism, there’s concern that Versace might undergo a brand transformation similar to what we saw with Alexander McQueen’s brand changes post-McQueen. While still luxurious, McQueen today doesn’t have that raw, rebellious edge of its founder. Could Versace be next? 

What Does This Mean for the Future of Italian Fashion? 

Italian luxury has long been defined by three powerhouses: Prada, Gucci, and Armani—dubbed "The Big Three" by Fabriqué à Paris. Each brand has carved out its distinct identity: Gucci with its eclectic reinventions, Armani with its timeless elegance, and Prada with its luxury fashion minimalism. Versace, on the other hand, has always been the wild child, rejecting restraint in favor of daring, opulent excess. 

So what happens if Prada takes over Versace? Imagine an all-black Medusa logo, a beige-and-brown runway show, or—heaven forbid—Versace without the gold. The horror. While there’s a chance Prada will respect Versace’s DNA, there’s also the fear that it could be toned down to fit Prada’s more refined aesthetic. We’ve already seen how creative shifts can reshape a brand’s identity—Burberry’s brand transformation left some nostalgic for its classic British heritage. 

But let’s not forget the tea: fashion is about evolution. Maybe this is the shake-up Versace needs. Maybe under Prada, we’ll see a new era of modern maximalism, where the gold stays but gets a fresher, edgier twist. Maybe Versace will lean into a more strategic business model that strengthens its global presence while keeping the drama alive. Or maybe, just maybe, Donatella will pull a Tom Ford and reemerge with a brand-new project that makes us forget we ever worried about Versace in the first place. 

Nothing is Official… But 

For now, the Prada and Versace acquisition rumors remain just that—rumors. But change is inevitable. One way or another, Versace as an independent Italian powerhouse is on the verge of transformation. The only certainty? Versace without Donatella will never be the same. 

For the girls who live for the drama, for the bold prints, the Medusa heads, the gold chains buckle up. Because whether Versace lands under Prada’s wing or takes an unexpected turn, the fashion world is in for a major shake-up. 

And let’s be real, we’ll be watching every second of it. 

Get your popcorn, put on your most extra outfit, and keep an eye on the headlines—because fashion history is about to be made.