Italy’s Unmatched Fashion Titans Unite

Written by Greta Felton

First signed when the weather was damp with the promise of summer following a rainy April and now finalized as temperatures fall into single digits, it’s official: Prada has completed the acquisition of Versace.

Media reports on the groundbreaking deal began circulating in early 2025, with Prada was given access to Versace’s financial accounts in February, followed by talks of an agreement in April that ultimately solidified the decision.

Prada Fall/Winter 2025

Here are the key things  to know: Prada acquired the company for roughly $1.38 billion. In a move that keeps the fashion empire in the family, Lorenzo Bertelli is set to become executive chairman of Versace once the integration is completed. Dario Vitale, formerly of Miu Miu, will step in as the new chief creative officer. The overall goal of the acquisition is to boost Versace’s production, especially in accessories, and improve efficiency.

Both brands trace their roots deep into Italy’s fashion legacy and have played important roles in cementing the country’s global influence. Over the decades, Prada and Versace have shaped the meaning of Italian luxury, each with its own distinct creative identity.

Versace Fall/Winter 2025

Prada, founded in 1913 as a brother run leather goods shop called Fratelli Prada, quickly became a fixture in Italian society, even serving as the leather supplier to the Italian royal household in 1919. The brand’s modern identity emerged in the 1970s when it introduced the “ugly chic” aesthetic, a bold and unconventional look that helped define the Prada seen today.

At the same time, Versace was building a legacy of its own. Founded by Gianni Versace in Milan in 1978, the brand became synonymous with bold, sexy and fearless design. After Gianni’s tragic murder in 1997, his sister Donatella took over as creative director and expanded the house into an enduring symbol of Italian glamour.

While the two houses have often been seen as stylistic opposites, the blend of minimalism and maximalism makes the future especially intriguing. Versace’s fall and winter 2025 show featured puffed quilted dresses, tailored suits and silk skirts with patterns playing a major role. Prada’s show highlighted classic little black dresses, loose office ready pieces, and the occasional pop of color or pattern.

Following this acquisition, it’ll be interesting to see how the two houses come together to create something undeniably unforgettable. Rather than stripping away Versace’s bold, maximalist identity, Prada seems to recognize the brand’s value and the “untapped potential” in leaning into its drama and glamour. 

Prada has clearly been preparing for a move of this scale. From hiring hundreds of new employees to increasing production and pushing out thousands of masterful pieces, the groundwork has already been laid. Now, we’re left to watch how this strategy unfolds and how the brands’ creative worlds merge, evolve, or even challenge each other.

Edited by Ana Massoglia