Dario Vitale appointed Emporio Armani creative director in major brand shake up

In a major restructuring a year after founder Giorgio Armani‘s death, the Armani fashion group appointed Dario Vitale as creative director of Emporio Armani and Giorgio Armani Accessories on Wednesday.

The industry veteran spent around 15 years at Miu Miu before a brief, single-season stint at Versace prior to joining Armani.

Armani stated that Vitale’s arrival marks the “beginning of a new chapter” for the brand and “opens a dialogue between innovation and identity.”

Giorgio Armani, who defined Italian luxury ready-to-wear, died in September 2025, aged 91.

His creative legacy continues through his core collections, overseen by his niece and head of womenswear design, Silvana Armani, alongside veteran menswear designer Leo Dell’Orco. Emporio Armani caters to a younger audience.

Vitale’s September 2025 debut at Versace was a colourful return to the brand’s 1980s and 1990s aesthetic, though he departed after one season. Prada, parent company of Miu Miu, purchased Versace in December.

Under the terms of Armani’s will, heirs must sell a 15 per cent stake in the business — including Emporio Armani, Armani/Casa and Armani Hotels — within 18 months of his death.

The will states heirs should sell an initial 15 per cent stake in the Italian fashion house within 18 months and later transfer an additional 30 per cent to 54.9 per cent stake to the same buyer between three and five years after Armani’s death.

The will also says that priority should be given to luxury giant LVMH, beauty heavyweight L’Oreal, eyewear leader EssilorLuxottica or another group of “equal standing” identified by a foundation the designer set up to preserve his legacy with the agreement of Armani’s business and life partner Pantaleo Dell’Orco.

Alternatively, an initial public offering should be pursued, in Italy or in a market of equal standing, it said.

The explicit mention of stake sales and of France-listed players as potential buyers is in stark contrast with Armani’s persistent refusal to dilute his control or list his fashion group on the stock market.