Dario Vitale Takes The Helm At Emporio Armani And Giorgio Armani Accessories

By Jessica Ye (Jessica Yap)

Dario Vitale has built his career around some of Italy’s most recognisable fashion names. From Bottega Veneta and Miu Miu to his brief tenure at Versace, the Italian designer has moved through some of the industry’s most closely watched creative rooms. Now, he is joining Armani as Creative Director of Emporio Armani and Creative Director of Accessories at Giorgio Armani, effective immediately.

The appointment makes Vitale the first person from outside the Armani family to take on the creative direction of Emporio Armani. He will work closely with Silvana Armani and Leo Dell’Orco, who have continued to oversee the house’s creative work following the death of Giorgio Armani in September 2025.

Born in Southern Italy in 1983, Vitale moved to Milan to study at Istituto Marangoni before beginning his career with leading Italian luxury houses. He worked at Bottega Veneta under Tomas Maier before joining Miu Miu in 2010, where he worked closely with Miuccia Prada and eventually became Design Director of Ready-to-Wear and Brand Image Director.

In April 2025, he moved to Versace as Chief Creative Officer, becoming the first designer from outside the Versace family to lead its creative direction. His time at the house ended after one collection following Prada’s acquisition of Versace.

His arrival at Armani places him at the head of Emporio Armani while also giving him responsibility for accessories at Giorgio Armani. It is a sizeable brief, covering an entire fashion line on one side and an important category of the main Giorgio Armani brand on the other.

Emporio Armani was created by Giorgio Armani in 1981 and has its own distinct place within the group. Silvana Armani and Leo Dell’Orco describe the line as a space for “freedom, experimentation and energy”, adding that they are confident Vitale can interpret its spirit with respect and authenticity.

The timing of his first collection is already set. Emporio Armani’s Spring/Summer 2027 collection will be presented in Milan on 24 September, but it was already in development before Vitale joined the company. His first collection for the brand will therefore be Fall/Winter 2027.

That means there is no Vitale collection to dissect just yet, which perhaps makes the appointment itself all the more intriguing. His previous experience spans ready-to-wear, brand image and creative direction, and he now has the opportunity to bring all three to Emporio Armani.

Vitale describes Armani as having “a powerful legacy and unmistakable design language” and says he approaches the new role with a “deep sense of responsibility and excitement”.

The next collection will tell us much more than an announcement ever could.

For now, Dario Vitale has arrived at Armani. Fall/Winter 2027 will be our first proper look at what he intends to do with Emporio Armani.