Versace fans are begging Donatella Versace to reconsider sale to Michael Kors


Accessory design giant Michael Kors on Tuesday purchased Italian luxury brand Versace for $2.1 billion, reports The Washington Post, and some Versace fans are not happy.
The luxury brand, founded by Gianni Versace in 1978 and currently helmed by his sister Donatella, sells high-end goods that often sell for five times as much as Michael Kors' sportswear items, says The Associated Press. When rumors of the sale began to swirl, Versace loyalists revolted, saying Kors would "ruin" or "kill" the brand. Some begged the brand to reconsider, writing, "think about what Gianni would want, Donatella ... please."
Kors reportedly wants to open about 100 new Versace stores, focus on selling shoes and accessories, and increase the brand's online shopping profile. The company hopes to more than double Versace's revenue in coming years. Donatella Versace will remain on as a creative director, and NPR reports that she and other family members will receive about $177 million worth of shares in the newly-formed parent company, Capri Holdings.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"STAY AWAY FROM VERSACE," said one Twitter user, echoing the sentiments of many others who said Kors would diminish Versace's "heritage" and "Gianni's memory." Others directly attacked Kors' designs as "tacky," and worried that Versace would "go from high-end luxury" to "duty-free cheap s--t you buy at the airport."
The Versace family, for their part, called it "a very exciting moment," reports USA Today, and said the sale "will allow Versace to reach its full potential." Read more at The Washington Post.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.
-
5 low ratings cartoons about the Late Show cancellation
Cartoons Artists take on early warning signs, the Gen Z stare, and more
-
Connie Francis: Superstar of the early 1960s pop scene
In the Spotlight The 'Pretty Little Baby' and 'Stupid Cupid' singer has died aged 87
-
Crossword: July 26, 2025
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
-
FCC greenlights $8B Paramount-Skydance merger
Speed Read The Federal Communications Commission will allow Paramount to merge with the Hollywood studio Skydance
-
Tesla reports plummeting profits
Speed Read The company may soon face more problems with the expiration of federal electric vehicle tax credits
-
Dollar faces historic slump as stocks hit new high
Speed Read While stocks have recovered post-Trump tariffs, the dollar has weakened more than 10% this year
-
Economists fear US inflation data less reliable
speed read The Labor Department is collecting less data for its consumer price index due to staffing shortages
-
Crypto firm Coinbase hacked, faces SEC scrutiny
Speed Read The Securities and Exchange Commission has also been investigating whether Coinbase misstated its user numbers in past disclosures
-
Starbucks baristas strike over dress code
speed read The new uniform 'puts the burden on baristas' to buy new clothes, said a Starbucks Workers United union delegate
-
Warren Buffet announces surprise retirement
speed read At the annual meeting of Berkshire Hathaway, the billionaire investor named Vice Chairman Greg Abel his replacement
-
Trump calls Amazon's Bezos over tariff display
Speed Read The president was not happy with reports that Amazon would list the added cost from tariffs alongside product prices