When Donatella Versace was cruelly dethroned from her position as the Italian fashion label’s creative director last month, it sent shockwaves through the firm.
Their much-loved leader who had held the role since her brother Gianni’s tragic death 28 years ago, had been deliberately ousted as part of a plan for the brand to be sold to Prada after profits slumped during the pandemic.
And now, can reveal that there has been yet more drama at the company as they got rid of a number of long-serving and loyal staff in a round of cuts which coincided with the arrival of Donatella’s replacement Dario Vitale, a former director at rival Miu Miu.
According to sources at the company, they were made redundant at the behest of chief executive, Emanuelle Gintzburger, who according to one insider didn’t turn up to do it himself and was instead working abroad in Asia.
Insiders say that it has caused ‘mutiny’ at the firm, with one saying: ‘Lots of highly rated staff have been sacked. It all happened last week, there are some really hard working, loyal people who have gone.
‘They weren’t best pleased that Emanuelle wasn’t there to do it himself but then these things do get left to HR. They also say they were not thanked by him for their hard work and years of service.
‘The whole place has changed since Donatella left, it is terribly sad, it shows just what a positive influence she was there. It was often a happy place then, now there is mutiny.’
Donatella Versace is seen during a dinner at Highgrove House on February 7 hosted by King Charles ahead of his Italian state visit
Donatella Versace is seen with her older brother Gianni in 1993 before he was killed
Dario Vitale attends the Miu Miu Dinner Party at Laurent as part of the Paris Fashion Week in 2023
Meanwhile, in what would be a sensational turnaround, there are rumours swirling in fashion circles that if the Prada purchase goes through, Donatella could return as its owner Miuccia Prada is a huge fan.
‘So many staff, the ones left at Versace, hope is that the rumours around a Prada purchase are true and imminent. Miuccia and Donatella would be unstoppable and it would restore the feel of family within.
‘Those two are extraordinary female powerhouses and would take the brand to new heights. Watch this space.’
Amongst the staff to be cut is an expectant mother.
The Italian fashionista has stood down as creative director, a job she has held since Gianni’s death in 1997 seven years after Capri Holdings purchased Versace.
They announced her departure on their Instagram three weeks ago and revealed that the designer, who is the flamboyant face of the firm, will assume the role of chief brand ambassador from April 1 – a far lesser role, say fashion observers.
‘In her new role she will dedicate herself to the support of Versace’s philanthropic and charitable endeavours and remain an advocate for the brand globally,’ the firm said.
Speaking of her exit, Donatella, 69, said: ‘Championing the next generation of designers has always been important to me.
Donatella Versace (pictured in 1993) took over as the head of design for the Versace label in 1997
Donatella Versace attends the Vanity Fair Oscars party after the 97th Academy Awards in March
Italian fashion designer Donatella Versace (right) and US singer Jennifer Lopez
‘It’s been the greatest honour of my life to carry on my brother Gianni’s legacy. He was the true genius but I hope to have some of his spirit and tenacity.’
Indeed, sources say the Italian fashion queen was deliberately ousted in a plot to smooth the way for the brand to be bought by rival label Prada after profits slumped during the pandemic.
They say Versace’s chief executive, Emanuelle Gintzburger, and John Idol, boss of the label’s owners, Capri Holdings, colluded to get rid of Donatella and replace her with Dario so they can continue with a succession plan that she didn’t agree with.
Even worse for Donatella, according to those who know her, she was purposefully kept out of the conversations about the future of the brand that bears her name.
It means she has not only lost the job she so loved, but has had to give up the promise she made to her late brother.
One fashion source told The Mail on Sunday: ‘She’s been dethroned in the most terrible way.
‘She didn’t think she would die on this throne. But everyone is fighting over it when they don’t know what it means to be on it.
‘The only person who does is Donatella but she has been kicked off. It has been vicious and upsetting.’
Versace have been approached for comment.