Dario Vitale Named First Non-Family Creative Director at Emporio Armani

Armani Group on Sept. 16, 2026 named Dario Vitale creative director of Emporio Armani and Giorgio Armani Accessories, effective immediately. The 43-year-old is the first designer outside the Armani family to hold the dual post. Vitale spent about 14 to 15 years at Miu Miu, ending as Ready-to-Wear Design Director, then became Versace’s chief creative officer in March 2025—the first from outside that founding family. He showed one collection, spring/summer 2026, stripping Medusa print and safety pins for a Gianni-era 1980s look, and left in December 2025 after Prada Group bought Versace; Prada later named Pieter Mulier creative director. Earlier he worked with Tomas Maier at Bottega Veneta after Istituto Marangoni. He joins Silvana Armani and Leo Dell’Orco, who said Emporio was born as a space of freedom, experimentation, and energy and that Vitale would interpret its spirit with respect and authenticity. Vitale said he was honored and approached the legacy with responsibility and excitement. CEO Giuseppe Marsocci called the appointment an important milestone and accessories a great opportunity. Vitale will not design Emporio’s Spring 2027 collection, set for Sept. 24 at Armani/Teatro as a presentation by Dell’Orco and Silvana Armani. Giorgio Armani died in September 2025 at 91.