Emmanuel Gintzburger leaves as Prada prepares Versace’s next phase under Pieter Mulier and Lorenzo Bertelli
Key Takeaways
- Emmanuel Gintzburger has exited Versace, effective June 23.
- His departure comes as Prada Group integrates the house following its €1.25 billion acquisition from Capri Holdings.
- Pieter Mulier will join Versace as chief creative officer on July 1.
- Lorenzo Bertelli serves as executive chairman as Prada refines Versace’s retail, product, and brand architecture.
Emmanuel Gintzburger has exited Versace, marking another leadership change at the Italian house as Prada Group begins reshaping the brand following its acquisition from Capri Holdings.
Prada confirmed Gintzburger’s resignation, effective June 23, and said information regarding Versace’s new governance structure will be announced in due course. Gintzburger joined Versace as chief executive officer in 2022, during Capri Holdings’ ownership of the brand, and led the business through a period that included its sale to Prada Group and the appointment of Pieter Mulier as chief creative officer.
His departure comes at a pivotal moment for Versace. Prada Group completed its acquisition of 100 percent of the house from Capri Holdings for €1.25 billion in April last year, financing the transaction through €1.5 billion in new debt, including a €1 billion term loan and a €500 million bridge facility. The deal brought one of Italy’s most recognizable luxury names into Prada’s portfolio as Capri narrowed its focus around Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo.
Since the acquisition, Prada has begun laying the groundwork for Versace’s next strategic chapter. Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group’s head of corporate social responsibility, was named executive chairman of Versace in December. Mulier, who will join the brand on July 1, is expected to unveil his first collection for Versace early next year after presenting his final collection for Alaïa in Paris in March.
The transition follows a brief creative interlude under Dario Vitale, who exited Versace after one collection presented in September. Mulier will report to Bertelli, placing creative direction within a governance structure closely tied to Prada Group’s long-term oversight.
Versace contributed €143 million in net revenues in the first quarter ended March 31, progressing in line with expectations. Prada has outlined a repositioning plan focused on full-price sales, higher product quality, and greater depth of offer. The group has also indicated plans to optimize Versace’s retail network and integrate processes across functions.
Bertelli previously said the Versace Jeans Couture line, licensed to Swinger International, would come to an end, leaving the house without a subbrand structure. He also said Mulier would revive Versace’s Atelier couture line, a move that signals renewed emphasis on craft, image elevation, and the brand’s high-luxury codes.
Gintzburger brought extensive luxury retail and brand management experience to Versace. Before joining the house, he served as CEO of Alexander McQueen. Earlier in his career, he held senior retail roles at Saint Laurent, Lanvin, Sephora, and Louis Vuitton, including six years with Louis Vuitton in Hong Kong.
His exit adds a new layer of uncertainty to Versace’s management structure as Prada moves from acquisition to integration. With Mulier’s arrival imminent and Bertelli already installed as executive chairman, the next CEO appointment will be closely watched as an indicator of how Prada intends to balance Versace’s commercial recalibration with the creative reset now underway.