CIAO BELLO! In one of the biggest pieces of fashion news overnight, Dario Vitale has been named Creative Director of Emporio Armani and Giorgio Armani Accessories. The announcement is major for two reasons: firstly, it marks the first time someone from outside the family will hold either title. Secondly, because it confirms the return of fashion’s most exciting designers right now.

Vitale, we’ve missed you.

The timing of the announcement is rather poignant. It’s been just over a year since the passing of the great Giorgio Armani in 2025, and the appointment marks the group’s most significant creative hire since. Vitale will be overseeing both Emporio’s menswear and womenswear collections, as well as accessories for both Emporio and Giorgio Armani. He’ll be working alongside Silvana Armani, head of womenswear design, and Leo Dell’Orco, head of menswear design.

Vitale’s path to this appointment has been a colourful one. He trained at Istituto Marangoni before working under Tomas Maier at Bottega Veneta, then joined Miu Miu in 2010, where he spent almost fifteen years alongside Miuccia Prada, eventually rising to Design Director of Ready-to-Wear and Brand Image Director. He left in March 2025.

A month later, he was named Chief Creative Officer at Versace, the first designer outside the Versace family to lead the house’s creative direction. His single collection, shown that September, was well received, with critics praising its boldness. Despite that reception, Vitale left in December shortly after Prada Group completed its acquisition of Versace.

Landing at Emporio Armani brings a different assignment. Launched in 1981, it has long served as the more playful, youth-facing counterpart to the mainline collection, spanning ready-to-wear, denim and accessories.

“Emporio was born as a space of freedom, experimentation and energy,” Silvana Armani and Dell’Orco said in a joint statement, adding that Vitale would interpret that spirit “with respect and authenticity.”

Vitale, for his part, struck a note of gratitude in his own statement, describing himself as “deeply grateful to Silvana and Leo for welcoming me into their world,” and pointing to Armani’s “powerful legacy and unmistakable design language” as the foundation he now inherits.

Giuseppe Marsocci, the Armani Group’s CEO and managing director, called the appointment a milestone that “strengthens our creative organization” while “remaining faithful to Giorgio Armani’s values and vision.”

Vitale’s first collection for the label has yet to be announced.

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