$1.375 Billion Prada Takes Over Versace in a Defining Move for Italian Fashion.

A number that speaks louder than words: $1.375 billion. That’s what it took for Prada to bring Versace back into Italian hands—and into a new era of luxury power. This isn’t just a deal. It’s a seismic shift. In the face of global market tremors and tariff uncertainty, Prada has made a move as bold as the brand it just acquired.

The purchase of Versace, including its debt, marks a rare union of two fashion dynasties—one known for intellectual minimalism, the other for unapologetic glamour. Gianni Versace’s legacy, embodied by the Medusa, the gold chains, the baroque audacity, now finds a new stage under the refined leadership of Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli.

Versace has struggled in recent quarters under U.S.-based Capri Holdings, yet the brand remains an icon—an international magnet for those who crave style with drama. Donatella Versace, stepping down after 28 years at the helm, welcomed the transition with grace: “Gianni and I always had deep admiration for Miuccia and Patrizio. I’m honored to see the brand with a trusted Italian family.”

The $1.375B price tag is a significant markdown from the $2.15B Capri paid in 2018. But what Prada gains is beyond valuation. This is about vision. About reclaiming cultural identity in an industry long steered by French conglomerates. With €1.5 billion in fresh debt committed, Prada isn’t hesitating—it’s leading.

For Bertelli, who once referred to past acquisitions like Jil Sander and Helmut Lang as “strategic mistakes,” this feels different. This is not about expansion. It’s about alignment. A curated, calculated fusion of fashion’s most commanding voices.

Owning Versace isn’t about dominance. It’s about legacy, elevation, and the poetic return of a house to the heart of Italian fashion.

Words by ABL Team