The Armani Group announced Dario Vitale will lead Emporio Armani and oversee Giorgio Armani accessories, marking the first major creative succession since the founder’s death.
Dario Vitale was appointed creative director for Emporio Armani and will also oversee Giorgio Armani accessories, effective immediately (announcement: 16 September 2026).
Vitale’s background includes long tenures at Miu Miu (Design Director, Brand Image Director) and a brief 2025 role as Chief Creative Officer at Versace following Donatella Versace.
Armani has not named Vitale’s first show date, though the appointment’s timing suggests he will likely lead the brand for the February Fall/Winter shows in Milan.
# What happened
On 16 September 2026 the Armani Group announced Dario Vitale as creative director of Emporio Armani, with responsibility for Giorgio Armani accessories. The appointment is effective immediately and is described as the first major creative succession in the house's history.
# Who Dario Vitale is
His most formative period was at Miu Miu, where he joined in 2010 and spent roughly 14 years. At Miu Miu he rose to Design Director for ready-to-wear and Brand Image Director, roles tied to both product and the brand's visual identity.
# Why the appointment matters
Giorgio Armani founded his house in 1975 and remained a controlling creative force until his death in September 2025 at age 91. The brand's design language is long-established and widely recognised. Vitale inherits that existing visual vocabulary rather than a blank slate.
The move signals an institutional transition: the house is naming a non-family creative director to steer one of its main lines and accessories. That makes the appointment a notable administrative and creative shift for the Armani Group.
# What's next
Armani has not announced when Vitale's first collection will appear. The announcement is effective immediately, so the most likely near-term milestone is the Milan shows in February, when designers present Fall/Winter collections. Observers and industry calendars will watch whether Vitale follows Armani's established aesthetic closely or introduces new directions within the brand's framework.
# Concrete implications for the brand and market
# Short timeline
# Bottom line
Dario Vitale's appointment formalises the first major creative succession in Armani's history. His track record at Miu Miu and brief, high-profile role at Versace explain why the house selected him to oversee Emporio Armani and accessories for Giorgio Armani. The industry will watch his first collections to see how he interprets a long-established Armani visual language.
The Armani Group has confirmed Dario Vitale as the new creative director of Emporio Armani and Giorgio Armani Accessories. The announcement was made in Milan on the 16th of September, marking a historic first for the house. Vitale becomes the first person outside the Armani family to hold this creative position since t
He will also oversee Giorgio Armani Accessories.
The Armani Group has officially chosen Italian designer Dario Vitale to steer the creative direction of Emporio Armani and oversee Giorgio Armani Accessories. This announcement arrives precisely one year after the passing of legendary founder Giorgio Armani, signaling a significant change for the storied brand. Vitale
The designer, who caused a stir at Versace, will also oversee Giorgio Armani accessories.
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