Versace Taps Pieter Mulier as Creative Director
Versace has named Pieter Mulier its new creative director, effective July 1, entrusting the Belgian designer with the future of one of fashion’s most recognizable houses. Mulier will succeed Dario Vitale and report directly to Versace CEO Lorenzo Bertelli.
“Versace’s identity is clear and powerful,” Bertelli said. “There is no need to reinvent it. Pieter knows how to reinterpret a brand with respect, depth, and modernity.” According to Bertelli, conversations with Mulier began as early as fall 2024, well before Prada Group finalized its acquisition of Versace from Capri Holdings last year.
The appointment comes days after Alaïa confirmed that Mulier will conclude his tenure as creative director following the house’s Fall–Winter 2026 show in Paris this March. His five-year run at Alaïa reshaped the brand’s visual language, emphasizing sculptural silhouettes, architectural construction, and a rigorous devotion to craft—an approach that revitalized the house both creatively and commercially.
At Versace, Mulier inherits a legacy defined by sensuality, confidence, and a fearless embrace of glamour. Bertelli emphasized that the brand will remain creatively independent within the Prada Group, even as it benefits from shared production and distribution expertise. Emmanuel Gintzburger will continue as Versace CEO.
Mulier’s résumé is deeply rooted in modern fashion history. A graduate of Brussels’ ESA Saint-Luc, he began his career alongside Raf Simons, becoming a key collaborator at Jil Sander, Christian Dior, and later Calvin Klein, where he oversaw the execution of Simons’ vision across menswear, womenswear, and accessories. That close creative partnership—and Mulier’s long-standing relationship with Simons, now co–creative director of Prada—has long positioned him as a designer fluent in both precision and provocation.
At Alaïa, Mulier developed a distinctive voice that balanced discipline and desire. His collections drew younger audiences while honoring the house’s devotion to the female form, and accessories such as the Le Teckel bag and ballet flats became commercial standouts. Richemont has cited Alaïa as a key growth driver, with the brand more than doubling in size during Mulier’s tenure.
Versace is currently absent from the upcoming Milan Women’s Fashion Week calendar, leaving industry watchers eager for Mulier’s debut and his interpretation of the Medusa-led house. With Donatella Versace now serving as the brand’s chief ambassador, the stage is set for a recalibrated Versace—one that looks forward without losing its unmistakable edge.
