Dario Vitale Brings Sex Appeal and Miami Beach Opulence to His Versace Debut
Rooted in ‘80s bourgeois with a nod to Gianni Versace’s ‘90s Miami Beach, Dario Vitale’s debut brought conversation-starting looks to Milan Fashion Week. The designer’s first Versace collection ushered sex appeal and sensuality into fashion month with looks focused on embellished hot pants and gleaming metallic bra-and-skirt sets. Vibrant, off-kilter, conflicting colors signaled a shift in the tides and a swift change from neutrals to more dominant tones. Bourgeois fashion was reimagined and reinterpreted, but considered the heritage of the Italian fashion house.
Though we have been anticipating the changing of the guard at fashion houses and discussing it in depth for spring/summer 2026, Versace was one of the first creative director debuts of the season. In it, Vitale brought new ideas, along with a moment of excitement and anticipation in Milan for what is next in fashion. Ahead, more on the Versace spring/summer 2026 collection.
Dario Vitale’s Debut
Across fashion month for spring/summer 2026, there are upwards of 15 designer debuts as new creative directors take the helm at some of the industry’s biggest fashion houses. While there has been plenty of speculation about how the designer shake-up would take hold this season, Dario Vitale made a big impact with his first Versace collection. Vitale hails from Miu Miu where he held the position of ready-to-wear design director and head of image, and previously worked at Bottega Veneta under Tomas Maier. Vitale’s vision for the Italian fashion brand is bold, cinematic, and fresh, and it’s setting the tone for a new wave of change that will impact where style is headed next year.
Sex Appeal
Versace brought unabashed sex appeal to the runway in Milan. Metallic bra-and-skirt sets were unexpectedly paired with knit sweaters tied around the waist. Hot pants were topped off with knit sweaters and leather bomber jackets. Sheath dresses were sculpted to the body,
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
Conflicting Colors
Versace had a bourgeois ’80s meets 90s Miami Beach palette, mixing shades such as lilac, butter yellow, Kelly green, and cobalt all in one look. The hues are conflicting and unintuitive, yet work harmoniously together. We also saw these off-kilter color combinations at Prada and expect to see more bold shades for spring 2026 that cut through the neutrals which have dominated in the age of quiet luxury and minimalism.
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
‘80s Bourgeois Dressing
We’ve been discussing the rise of bourgeois style since Michael Rider’s debut at Celine in July. Vitale mentioned the word “bourgeois” in his show notes and suggested that his version of Versace would offer a riff on the original interpretation by Gianni Versace. Vitale also mentioned that his interpretation was inspired by the ’80s Versace clothing worn by his mother, which inspired the looks.
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
‘90s Miami Beach Opulence
Of all of the Versace-isms, there was a clear inspiration from Gianni Versace during his time in Miami Beach in the ’90s. Vitale touched on the opulence, bold prints, and exuberance that defined that chapter for the Italian fashion house.
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
