I feel for Donatella, but this moment has been a long time coming. Versace, as a brand, has struggled with relevance for nearly a decade. Its last true peak was around 2014-2015, followed by a brief resurgence with the tribute collection—after which, the decline was inevitable. While the early 2000s were a golden era in terms of aesthetic and cultural impact, the brand’s sales weren’t particularly strong even then, something many seem to forget. In many ways, Donatella was fortunate to have maintained part ownership; without it, she might have been gone years ago. The brand is undeniably in trouble, and whatever revival plan is in motion, she’s not part of it. Whether that was her decision or not may never be fully known, but it was a necessary shift. As far as Prada goes, it's nothing like it was in the ’90s. It wields far greater power, influence, and resources. The transition and revival is going to be extremely difficult and stressful, perhaps Donatella simply didn’t want to be part of that. At nearly 70, who can blame her for stepping back?
