Donatella Versace shouldn't have been there. At least, that’s what the critics whispered in 1997. When Gianni Versace was murdered outside his Miami mansion, the fashion world didn’t just mourn a genius; it predicted the collapse of a multi-billion dollar empire. Everyone assumed Donatella was just the "muse" or the "party sister."
They were wrong.
She didn't just survive. She pivoted. For nearly three decades, Donatella didn't just keep the lights on; she turned the Medusa head into a global religion. But now, in early 2026, the landscape has shifted again. After stepping down from her role as Creative Director in 2025, the conversation around Donatella Versace then and now has taken on a brand-new weight. We aren't just looking at old photos anymore—we’re looking at a legacy that finally belongs to someone else.
The 1997 Pivot: From Shadow to Spotlight
Honestly, the transition was brutal. Most people don’t realize that Donatella spent months in a literal fog of grief and cocaine. She has been incredibly open about this in later years, admitting she felt like she only had the job because of a tragedy. She was terrified.
She tried to be Gianni at first. The early collections were almost like cover songs—trying to mimic his loud, baroque, hyper-sexualized energy without quite hitting the right notes. The press was shark-like. They smelled blood.
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Then came the year 2000.
You know the dress. That green jungle-print silk chiffon piece Jennifer Lopez wore to the Grammys? That was the moment Donatella became "Donatella." It wasn't just a dress; it literally caused the birth of Google Images because so many people were searching for it. That was her first real middle finger to the skeptics. She proved she understood the digital future of fashion better than the old guard in Milan.
The Physical Transformation: More Than Just Fillers
You can’t talk about Donatella Versace then and now without addressing the elephant in the room. Her face.
In the early '90s, Donatella had a much softer, more "natural" look—though "natural" is a funny word for a woman who has bleached her hair since she was eleven because Gianni told her to. By the mid-2000s, her transformation became a tabloid obsession.
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What most people get wrong is the "why." Experts and surgeons, like those often cited in Lam Facial Plastics or International Plus, suggest a mix of heavy fillers, Botox, and likely laser resurfacing. But it wasn't just about vanity. Donatella was crafting a suit of armor. In a 2017 interview, she basically said as much—that her look was a way to protect herself, a mask she wore to face a world that was constantly judging her.
By 2024 and 2025, her appearance shifted again. At recent events like the 2025 Oscars after-parties, she looked remarkably different than the "overdone" period of 2014. There’s a certain surgical precision now—a sharper jawline, smoother skin, and a silhouette that, at 70 years old, still fits into the same sample sizes as her supermodels. It’s an intentional, high-definition version of humanity.
Business Moves: The $2 Billion Handover
The timeline of the brand is just as wild as the aesthetic.
- 1997: Donatella takes the helm after Gianni’s death.
- 2005: She goes to rehab (urged by Elton John) and cleans up the business.
- 2011: The H&M collaboration makes Versace accessible to the masses.
- 2018: The big one. Capri Holdings (the Michael Kors group) buys Versace for $2.1 billion.
- 2025: Donatella officially steps down as Creative Director.
This last bit is the real "now." As of April 2025, Dario Vitale—the former Miu Miu design director—is the one calling the shots. Donatella has moved into a "Chief Brand Ambassador" role.
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Some fans hate it. They say the Spring/Summer 2026 show, which was Vitale’s big debut, felt too "Prada-lite." It was muted. It was wearable. It lacked the "slap-in-the-face" glamour that Donatella is known for. But this is the reality of Donatella Versace then and now. The brand is no longer a family boutique; it’s a corporate asset owned by the Prada Group (following the 2025 acquisition from Capri).
Why She Still Matters in 2026
Donatella is currently spending her time on things that actually matter to her: philanthropy and mentoring. She’s the President of the Jury for the Latin American Fashion Awards. She’s obsessed with the next generation.
She survived the '90s, the 2000s, and the corporate takeover of the 2020s. She’s no longer the woman in the shadow of her brother. She’s the architect of a brand that defines modern celebrity.
If you’re looking at her career, don’t just look at the lip filler or the tan. Look at the fact that she’s still standing when almost every other 90s icon has faded. She’s a case study in resilience.
How to Apply the Versace Mindset
If there is one thing to take away from Donatella's evolution, it’s the power of the pivot. When the world expects you to fail, you don't just stay the course—you change the game.
- Audit your personal brand: Are you still trying to be who you were ten years ago? Donatella stopped trying to be Gianni and became herself.
- Invest in "The Mask": Not literally (unless that's your thing), but understand that your public persona is a tool. Use it to protect your creative core.
- Master the Digital: Donatella didn't fear the internet; she fed it. Whether you're in business or art, lean into the medium that people are actually using.
The era of Donatella the Designer might be over, but the era of Donatella the Icon is just getting started. She’s moved from the cutting table to the boardroom, and honestly? It’s about time.