Armani, which is a well-known Italian fashion house, has appointed Dario Vitale as creative director of Emporio Armani and Giorgio Armani Accessories. This move is directed towards introducing an external creative voice as the company continues to move forward, even after following the death of founder Giorgio Armani on September 4th, 2025. Vitale began his new role and position almost immediately, according to the company’s announcement reported by Reuters.
The appointment represents a highly notable change for the fashion group. Since Giorgio Armani’s death, creative responsibilities have continued to be within the founder’s close circle. His niece, Silvana Armani, has taken over and is overseeing womenswear, while longtime collaborator Leo Dell’Orco has been responsible for the menswear segment. Vitale now becomes the first outsider to take on a major creative leadership position within the Armani group.
Born in the year 1983, Vitale has worked hard to build his career through several influential Italian fashion houses. He spent approximately 14 years at Miu Miu, where he eventually became design director for ready-to-wear and head of image. His work there placed him close to one of the industry’s most closely followed luxury labels. He became an inspiration to youngsters who aspired to have a career in fashion throughout the world. He later moved to Versace, becoming its creative director in 2025. His time at the house was brief, ending after Prada Group acquired Versace.
His arrival at Armani came at a period when the company was going through a major change. Giorgio Armani launched Emporio Armani in 1981 as a more accessible and youthful expression of his wider fashion universe. However, as the decades passed on by, it ended up developing into one of the group’s best-known labels, alongside the Giorgio Armani brand. Vitale soon became responsible for shaping the future creative direction of Emporio Armani while also overseeing Giorgio Armani’s accessories.
The timing of the appointment is especially significant as Armani is preparing for its next Milan Fashion Week presentation. The Spring/Summer 2027 Emporio Armani collection is scheduled to be shown on September 24, 2026, this year. The collection will still be presented under the direction of Silvana Armani and Dell’Orco, making it a final stage in the transition before Vitale begins presenting his vision.
Vitale’s first Emporio Armani collection is expected for the Autumn/Winter 2027 season. This allows him sufficient time to develop his own unique approach while working within a fashion house whose visual identity was strongly associated with its founder in the past.
So, the contradictory view continues. Will he have a successful venture with prior support from design lines acting as a cushion? Or will he be able to live up to the recognition the brand already holds?
The designer’s appointment also comes as Armani considers changes to its ownership structure. Following provisions connected to Giorgio Armani’s estate, the company is preparing for the sale of a 15% stake. Reuters reported that the business is therefore undergoing both creative and corporate changes as it enters the period after its founder.
For Vitale, the new position brings together his experience at Miu Miu and Versace with the heritage of one of Italy’s most established fashion houses. His prior experience comes as a strong point for him, which accelerates his pace in gaining approval from fans as well as fashion enthusiasts. His previous work has involved balancing established brand identities with contemporary design, while Armani now faces the challenge of continuing its founder’s legacy without remaining unchanged.
The appointment thus marks a new chapter for the group. Vitale can share his views while adhering to the design principles that have defined Armani for over 40 years. His upcoming collections will reveal how the house evolves under its first major external creative leader.
