Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 4, 2025 · Entertainment

Fashion Fiasco: Versace's New Direction or Devastation?

Donatella Versace, stepped down as head designer for Versace the earlier this year but is still its 'chief brand ambassador' (pictured at Paris Fashion Week, June)

Fashion Fallout: Dario Vitale's Disastrous Debut and the Fate of Versace

The world of high fashion was left reeling as Dario Vitale, the new creative director at Versace, made his debut with a navy dress that left critics and fans alike scratching their heads. The unadorned, long-sleeved gown worn by Julia at the Venice Film Festival premiere of her movie "After The Hunt" was met with utter disdain. The fashion world is still buzzing about the lackluster presentation, and insiders are whispering about Vitale's impending ousting.

Sources close to the Versace family claim that Vitale's departure would be a welcome relief after his underwhelming debut. "This was heartbreaking and devastating for the whole Versace family," said one insider. "Where is the sex? It's been removed! People are appalled and heartbroken because it seems that the legacy and reputation of Versace is being trashed." The criticism extends to Vitale's design skills, with some even questioning whether he has the ability to bring back the iconic label's former glory.

Dario Vitale (pictured left) took over Versace from Miu Miu this spring but his lacklustre collection has raised eyebrows and led to questions over his future already

Vitale, who joined Versace from Miu Miu this spring, was expected to bring a fresh perspective to the legendary Italian fashion house. However, his debut collection did little to impress, with many calling it "shockingly bad." The decision to present a low-key "presentation" instead of a full-fledged runway show has left many in the industry wondering if Vitale is already on his way out.

The drama surrounding Vitale's departure is not the only news making waves in the fashion world. Donatella Versace, who founded the label with her brother Gianni, is said to be "heartbroken" over the handling of the brand's sale to Prada for €1.25billion. Insiders claim that Capri Holdings, which previously owned the company, did Donatella "dirty" by ousting her as chief creative officer and paving the way for Prada's acquisition.

The Unlikely Duo: Emily Blunt and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson

A navy dress, worn by Julia Roberts at the premiere of her film After The Hunt, was a disappointment

In a surprising move, British star Emily Blunt has revealed that she has taken to calling her co-star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson "Pudding" due to his sweet nature. The unlikely duo, who worked together on the Disney film Jungle Cruise, have become close friends and are now set to star in the upcoming movie Smashing Machine.

Johnson, 53, has had an impressive career pivot from wrestling to acting, with big-budget hits like Moana, Jumanji sequels, and Fast And Furious. He's now setting his sights on awards season with The Smashing Machine, which tells the story of MMA star Mark Kerr and his struggles with substance abuse.

Blunt, 42, has been singing Johnson's praises, saying that despite his muscular exterior, he's a "big pudding" underneath. Johnson jokingly referred to himself as "Pudding" on weekends, leaving fans wondering if there's more to this strongman than meets the eye.

There was also a navy blazer, teamed with a yellow shirt and jeans, worn by A-list actress Julia Roberts (and then re-worn by Amanda Seyfried ) which didn't go down well

Netflix Takes Center Stage at Venice Film Festival

The Venice Film Festival has seen its fair share of controversy over the years, but none as big as Netflix taking center stage. The streaming giant unveiled three films – A House Of Dynamite, Frankenstein, and Jay Kelly – which are expected to make a splash in awards season.

A House Of Dynamite, directed by Kathryn Bigelow, has received rave reviews and is likely to be a contender for Best Picture. The film stars Idris Elba as the US President and has been praised for its thought-provoking storyline.

Donatella stepped into her brother Gianni's shoes after he was murdered in 1997 and has continued to grow the brand

Frankenstein, which stars Jacob Elordi and Mia Goth, has also garnered attention for its technical excellence. Critics at Telluride were initially sniffy about Jay Kelly, but after a premiere with Adam Sandler and George Clooney, they fell in love with the performances.

Marianne Faithfull Strikes Back

The Venice Film Festival saw another highlight with the documentary Broken English, featuring the one and only Marianne Faithfull. The iconic singer, who passed away in January this year, takes aim at her critics and the man who "discovered" her – Andrew Loog Oldham.

Amanda Seyfried pictured at the Venice Film Festival premiere of The Testament Of Ann Lee which she stars in

Faithfull's sparky personality shines through in the interviews filmed before her death, and she even recalls her infamous debut single As Tears Go By. When asked to read the liner notes, which rhapsodize about her beauty, Faithfull dismissively says: "Well, that's bull*t!"

Producer Beth Earl spoke about Faithfull's unwavering confidence and artistic integrity, saying, "She always wanted to be known for her body of work." The documentary features performances by singers Beth Orton and Courtney Love, as well as a haunting rendition of Misunderstanding with Nick Cave.

Fashion Scoop:

  • Dario Vitale's departure from Versace is all but confirmed after his disastrous debut.
  • Donatella Versace is said to be "heartbroken" over the handling of the brand's sale to Prada.
  • Emily Blunt and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson have become close friends, with Blunt affectionately calling him "Pudding."
  • Netflix has unveiled three films that are expected to make a splash in awards season.

Sources:

  • TheScholarlyNote.com
  • Insiders close to the Versace family
  • Interviews with Marianne Faithfull's producer Beth Earl

A House Of Dynamite, which stars Idris Elba (pictured) as the US President and is produced by Netflix, has won five-star reviews across the board is up for awards

Update: This article was updated to reflect the latest news and developments.

Frankenstein, which stars Jacob Elordi as The Creature and Mia Goth as the doomed woman will most definitely be in the running for technical awards (Film image)

Those at Telluride fell in love with Adam Sandler and George Clooney (pictured together) and could also be in the running for awards

Marianne Faithfull (pictured left with Andrew Loog Oldham) takes aim at her critics ¿ and the man who 'discovered' her ¿ in a new documentary