Versace CEO Emmanuel Gintzburger has stepped down from his role, ending a four-year journey with the brand.

During his tenure at Versace since 2022, Gintzburger has overseen a turnaround centred on reinforcing core categories, with accessories and footwear a key priority.

He also steered the business through its acquisition by Prada Group last year, a deal that prompted analysts to voice hopes he would remain on board.

“Ideally, Donatella Versace needs to be retained along with Emmanuel Gintzburger, and Versace needs to be given the artistic freedom to do its own thing,” Neil Saunders, MD of Globaldata’s US retail division, said at the time.

The resignation, effective June 23, was confirmed to be Gintzburger’s decision. “Information about the new governance will be announced in due course,” the company said in a statement.

Before joining Versace, Gintzburger spent six years as CEO of Alexander McQueen and previously held executive positions at Saint Laurent, Lanvin and Sephora.

His departure follows a series of leadership changes at the brand. In February, Pieter Mulier was appointed creative director, while global communications director Eloise Hautcoeur exited the company this week to join Loewe.

Versace is now in the midst of progressing its two key turnaround pillars, a process that executive chair Lorenzo Bertelli, who took on the role in December, said would not be “an overnight task”.

Looking ahead, the company’s new chapter will be led by Bertelli and the incoming chief executive, along with Mulier’s anticipated debut next February.