Donatella Versace will step down as creative director of the luxury fashion house that bears her family name after nearly three decades and make way for Miu Miu designer Dario Vitale.

Donatella took over the brand after the murder of her brother, Gianni Versace, its founder, in 1997. Her bold creative vision and unique style have been instrumental in preserving the Versace legacy.

The platinum blonde fixture of Italian fashion, who turns 70 in May, will be succeeded by Miu Miu’s design director Dario Vitale in what some industry insiders see as a prelude to an upcoming acquisition of Versace by its larger rival Prada, which also owns Miu Miu.

Donatella Versace is to step down as the main designer for the Versace brand after almost three decades, a move that has fanned talk of a sale of the business to rival Italian fashion house Prada. Donatella,

Donatella Versace has stepped down as creative director of her family’s eponymous fashion house after almost three decades in the role, as its US owner Capri Holdings edges closer to sell the Italian luxury company.

After nearly three decades at the creative helm of Versace, Donatella Versace has announced her departure as the brand's chief creative officer. The fashion icon, who took over the company in 1997 following her brother Gianni Versace's death,

Donatella Versace, one of the world’s best-known designers, is stepping down as chief creative officer of the brand that bears her family name, marking the end of an era for the fashion house that could soon change hands.