The End of the Dario Vitale Era at Versace
With the arrival of the Onitsuka Tiger x Versace collection in stores, Dario Vitale’s vision for the Italian fashion house officially comes to an end. The shoes, which generated immediate buzz during the Spring/Summer 2026 runway show last September, are available for purchase starting today. This marks the Campania-born designer’s final contribution to the historic Prada Group brand, following his departure last December, just eight months after his appointment. Much like the runway pieces, the shoes created with the Japanese brand have captured the interest of social media users. Most of the feedback has been positive, welcoming this unique collaboration.
A reinterpretation of the “Dai-Chi” model
The capsule collection reinterprets Onitsuka Tiger’s classic “Dai-Chi” model. Entirely manufactured at the brand’s Onitsuka Innovative Factory, located in Tottori Prefecture in Japan’s Sanin region, it features Italian materials such as calfskin and goatskin. In addition to the sneakers, priced at 590 euros, the collaboration also includes the “Sakura” loafers, priced at 850 euros. Notable design elements include double stitching on the Onitsuka Tiger stripes and Versace’s iconic Medusa, featured as studs on the tongue. The upper features a vintage effect achieved through a washing or brushing process, the brand explains.
The campaign was entrusted to Frank Lebon, who “captures the visceral energy of a collaboration rooted in dynamism—an expression of movement and physical power deeply embedded in the heritage of Versace and Onitsuka Tiger.”
The legacy carried on by Pieter Mulier
This capsule collection is part of the one-off Versace collection designed by Vitale, currently in stores and promoted by a campaign shot by Lebon, Tania Franco Klein, and Steven Meisel. Starting July 1, Pieter Mulier will officially take over as the brand’s creative director. The Belgian designer succeeds Vitale, the first designer to lead the design studio after Gianni and Donatella Versace.
The Prada Group’s acquisition of Versace
Versace has officially joined the Prada Group after being acquired from Capri Holdings. The acquisition was valued at nearly 1.3 billion euros.