Armani has named Dario Vitale as Creative Director of Emporio Armani and the Giorgio Armani Accessories Division, a decision that marks a turning point for the Milanese house. Vitale is the first person from outside the Armani family to step into a creative role of this magnitude within the group.

He arrives with a wide-ranging international résumé, having held top creative posts at some of fashion’s most prominent labels. That background has given him a sharp eye for product, craft, and quality, along with a feel for how brands position themselves today. His hiring points to a new phase for the group’s creative direction, one built on pairing fresh thinking with the identity Armani has cultivated over decades. The goal is to strengthen the group’s creative operations and support its ongoing growth, all while staying true to Giorgio Armani’s founding aesthetic.

“Taking on this dual role is a real honour, and I’m sincerely grateful to Silvana Armani and Leo Dell’Orco for bringing me into the fold,” Vitale said. “Armani carries an extraordinary legacy and a style all its own, decades of work that have left a mark on fashion history. I’m taking on this challenge with real enthusiasm and a deep sense of responsibility, eager to build on that foundation and help shape what comes next.”

Silvana Armani, who leads womenswear design, and Leo Dell’Orco, who leads menswear, added: “Emporio has always meant far more to us than just a product line, it’s a brand we’ve grown alongside since day one. It started as a place for freedom, experimentation, and energy. Bringing in a talent as established as Dario gives us confidence that he’ll carry that spirit forward, with both respect and authenticity.”

The timing is notable, too: the appointment lands as the luxury sector navigates a period of real upheaval. Strategically, Vitale’s arrival is meant to help push the group’s growth forward while giving its creative structure a firmer footing for what’s ahead.