Milan —

Of all the designers to present a debut collection for a major house during fashion week this September, Dario Vitale arguably had one of the lowest profiles. Prior to his appointment as Versace’s new chief creative officer in April, Vitale was rarely mentioned in the press and fairly unknown to the wider public — unlike his predecessor Donatella Versace , who has become synonymous with, if not more recognizable than, the brand itself.

It’s in part why Vitale’s first show for Versace has been so highly anticipated by fashion editors, buyers, and enthusiasts. Questions abound about what the Napoli designer — who is the first from outside the Versace family to fill the role — would bring to the storied Italian house, which was acquired by the Prada Group in a landmark $1.38

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