The Armani Group appoints the former designer of Miu Miu and Versace to lead the creative direction of Emporio Armani and Giorgio Armani accessories.

A year after Giorgio Armani's passing, the Group has made a decision that until recently would have seemed difficult to imagine: to entrust part of its creative direction to someone outside the family and the house's internal history. This is the first time a role of the caliber of the one entrusted to Dario Vitale, the new creative director of Emporio Armani and Giorgio Armani accessories, has been entrusted to a designer who did not work directly with the founder. To understand the significance of this choice, we need to go back to 1981, when Emporio Armani was born. The new line was conceived as a younger, more accessible, and more urban offering than the original. The eagle as its symbol, the communication—which appealed to a broader audience—and the stores contributed to building a distinct identity. For over forty years, however, Emporio remained under the direct supervision of Giorgio Armani. After his death in September 2025, responsibility for the collections passed to two of his longtime collaborators: his niece Silvana Armani for women's collections and his right-hand man and longtime partner Leo Dell'Orco for men's collections. They were the ones who managed the stylistic continuity of the house in the year following the founder's passing. With Dario Vitale, born in 1983 and raised in Southern Italy, Emporio Armani's creative direction was unified. After studying at the Istituto Marangoni, he worked at Bottega Veneta during the Tomas Maier years. In 2010, he joined Miu Miu, where he remained for fifteen years alongside Miuccia Prada. There, he rose to become Design Director of ready-to-wear and Brand Image Director, overseeing both the collections and their visual identity. This experience was crucial for understanding Vitale's profile. His work at Miu Miu occurred during a phase of strong growth for the brand, which had become one of the most closely watched names in international fashion. His role was not limited to designing the garments, but also encompassed how the product was integrated into the fashion house's communication and image system. Vitale left Miu Miu in March 2025. A month later, he was appointed Chief Creative Officer of Versace, becoming the first designer outside the family to lead the house after Gianni and Donatella. The appointment lasted only a few months. The Armani Group speaks of a "dialogue between innovation and identity." Vitale says he is "honored" by the new appointment and thanks Silvana Armani and Leo Dell'Orco for welcoming him "into their world," explaining that he wants to build on the existing foundations. Silvana Armani and Leo Dell'Orco define Emporio as a "space of freedom, experimentation, and energy" and ask the new director to interpret its spirit "with respect and authenticity." This choice allows the Group to introduce a fresh perspective without altering the structure of the core collection. For Vitale, the task will be to work on a brand with over forty years of history and an already established system, seeking a balance between the elements that have built its identity and a contemporary sensibility.

Dario Vitale Appointed Creative Director of Emporio Armani

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Dario Vitale Appointed Creative Director of Emporio Armani

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