The big fashion industry shake up continues with this mornings confirmation that Anthony Vaccarello has indeed, exited Versus. Versus has long been the younger, edgier, funkier sister to Donatella’s mainline brand and has played host to some of the best design talent in the industry in recent years including Christopher Kane and Jonathan Anderson. With his own mainline collection in production since 2010, Donatella describes Vaccarello’s style as “distinctive, sexy and cool.”
News of Vaccarello’s departure started swirling on Saturday evening with an official statement from Versace confirming the news this morning.
“While I’m sad to see him leave the Versace family, I wish Anthony Vaccarello tremendous success with his next chapter,” Donatella Versace
The next big news we’re all waiting for, is whether or not Kering will name the young designer as the next Creative Director at Saint Laurent after Hedi Slimane’s departure from the French fashion house last week. A statement is expected to follow some time this week although rumour has it that it’s a done deal. With his own brand of rock and roll chic, 33 year old Vaccarello is the natural choice to take the helm at Saint Laurent.
Donatella Versace is yet to announce her plans for Versace’s diffusion line and who will be next to take the reigns, saying only that she will be “surprising everybody” with her announcement. So, while we’re waiting for the next shuffle of the deck, one thing remains clear, the brand remains an “incubator for talent” and Vaccarello has left a lasting legacy and big shoes to fill in his short one year tenure, whoever steps up next had better be ready to embrace the whirlwind…….
Pixie x