Effective July 1, 2026, Pieter Mulier assumed the role of Chief Creative Officer at Versace, marking a pivotal moment for the iconic Italian fashion house. This appointment represents the first major creative decision under the new ownership of the Prada Group, which completed its £1.04 billion acquisition of Versace in December 2025. Lorenzo Bertelli is overseeing the integration process. Mulier’s arrival follows a period of brief leadership changes; Dario Vitale, who departed Versace in December 2025 after an eight-to-nine-month tenure, had taken over from Donatella Versace in April 2025, when she transitioned to a chief brand ambassador role.
Mulier’s creative pedigree is well-established. Prior to joining Versace, he served as Creative Director of Maison Alaïa from February 2021 until January 2026, where he was the first designer to succeed founder Azzedine Alaïa. During his five years at Alaïa, Mulier is noted for significantly growing the business, reportedly doubling its revenue and successfully developing an accessories line. His approach at Alaïa was characterized by a deep respect for the founder’s heritage, applying architectural precision, restraint, discipline, and timelessness through meticulous archival study.
The first public manifestation of Mulier’s vision for Versace appeared just a week ago. On August 31, 2026, Nicole Kidman debuted an Atelier Versace gown, his first publicly revealed design for the brand, at the Los Angeles premiere of ‘Practical Magic 2.’ This high-profile red carpet moment served as a strategic ‘soft-launch’ for Mulier’s aesthetic, predating his first official runway collection, which is slated for early 2027. Mulier intentionally bypassed the Spring/Summer 2027 show season, a move interpreted as a deliberate and patient approach to crafting his debut.
Kidman’s gown, a sheer, black hand-intarsia lace design, featured an asymmetrical cut, a deep rounded neckline, black satin ribbon details, and a thigh-high opening, completed with a matching lace choker. It was described as sensual but notably more restrained than previous Versace styles, and fittingly ‘witchy’ for the film’s theme. Mulier’s appointment is part of a strategic ‘deliberate recalibration’ by the Prada Group, aiming to refine Versace’s creative direction and ensure its sustained relevance. His anticipated brand direction seeks to merge Versace’s iconic sensuality and glamour with a more disciplined, precise, and intentional aesthetic. Industry expectations suggest this will transform Versace into a ‘sexy, but smarter’ brand, transitioning from ‘loud sexy’ to ‘confident sexy,’ with a renewed emphasis on an archive-driven approach. The Prada Group also plans to relaunch the haute couture line Atelier Versace, and discontinue lower-tier sub-brands like Versace Jeans Couture, reinforcing a focus on exclusivity and selective distribution to elevate the brand’s prestige.