By Andrea Figueras

Prada Group named Pieter Mulier to lead creative work at fashion house Versace, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the brand that Prada acquired last year from U.S. conglomerate Capri.

The appointment of Mulier, who will report to Versace Executive Chair Lorenzo Bertelli, is effective from July 1.

Prada, which also houses its namesake label and the Miu Miu brand, bet on Versace last year as a complement to its portfolio, adding a new angle in aesthetics and customer base.

"When we considered the Versace acquisition, we identified Pieter Mulier as the right person for the brand. We believe that he can truly unlock Versace's full potential," Bertelli said.

Mulier will join from Richemont's Alaia, where he holds the role of creative director. He has also worked at labels Jil Sander, Dior, Calvin Klein and Raf Simons, the eponymous brand of Prada's co-creative director.

The Belgian designer will take over from Dario Vitale, who previously worked at Miu Miu and took the creative helm of Versace in March, replacing Donatella Versace, sister of the brand's late founder. Vitale's short term ended at the end of last year, when Prada completed the acquisition of the storied fashion house.

The shift comes at a time when a number of high-end brands are looking for new creative directions in a bid to win back well-heeled shoppers, as the sector faces flagging demand. Kering's Gucci, Hermes and LVMH's Dior are among Prada's peers to have recently replaced their creative heads.

Write to Andrea Figueras at andrea.figueras@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 05, 2026 09:05 ET (14:05 GMT)

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