Versace's Strategic Revamp: Reclaiming Its Status in Luxury Fashion?
Versace has always been about bold glamour, but in recent years, it shifted toward a quieter luxury with subtler designs, cleaner lines, and less in-your-face branding. Personally, I liked this direction. I love the look of understated luxury with just small Versace details like gold buttons, structured tailoring, and refined accents rather than the head-to-toe Medusa prints and flashy baroque patterns that can sometimes feel overdone.
But it turns out, I may be in the minority. Versace’s CEO, John D. Idol, recently admitted that moving too far away from their signature loud, statement pieces led to a significant revenue drop.
“We made two mistakes. One was we eliminated some of the entry price points. The second is we moved too far away from fashion excitement.” – John D. Idol
In the last quarter, Versace’s revenue fell 15%—a steep decline for a brand with such a strong legacy. Now, the house is shifting back to statement pieces, expanding its price range, and trying to win back its audience.
Did They Overcorrect?
It feels like a lot of brands are struggling with this balance. Bottega Veneta, The Row, and even Saint Laurent have leaned into "quiet luxury", while brands like Gucci and Balenciaga went full maximalist before dialing it back.
Versace tried to follow the trend, but eliminating loud designs completely left their loyal customers with nothing to buy.
Prada x Versace? An Unlikely Pairing
Another twist—Prada is taking an exclusive four-week look at Versace’s financials, fueling speculation that they may acquire the brand.
To me, and others, this feels like an odd match. Prada is all about structured minimalism, while Versace is bold, flashy, and unapologetic. Prada’s past acquisitions haven’t always worked, so I’m skeptical about what this would mean for Versace’s future. Would they try to tone it down again? Or would Prada let Versace keep its identity while improving its business model? For now, it’s just talk..but if Prada takes over, Versace could be in for another identity shift.
Spring-Summer 2025: A Return to the Real Versace?
If their latest collection is any sign, Versace is trying to bring back its original energy. The Spring-Summer 2025 lineup is giving me:
Signature prints but in fresh ways
Vibrant colors
Tailored and structured silhouettes that feel modern
Their Fall-Winter 2025 collection debuts February 28 in Milan, and I’ll be watching to see if they can keep this momentum!
Final Thoughts:
Personally, I think keeping a mix of quiet luxury and statement pieces is the best approach. I’m not against the shift back to bold fashion, but I hope they don’t completely abandon the refined elegance they were starting to build. If they find the right balance, it could put them back on track. But going too far with flashy logos might turn away the newer luxury clientele they’ve started to attract. I’m looking forward to their Milan runway show to see how it all comes together.
