At Alaïa, Mulier built a couture-conscious aesthetic with masterful tailoring and sculptural womenswear, boosting growth and attracting celebrities such as Zendaya and Rihanna.

Mulier brings a track record from Raf Simons’ circle, including time at Dior and Calvin Klein, and rose from Antwerp to prominence through his work at Alaïa.

Versace’s leadership is signaling a return to the brand’s 1990s DNA, with potential emphasis on vivid brocade prints, leather, chainmail, and strong tailoring that nods to Gianni Versace while preserving modernity.

Industry observers expect Mulier to balance glamour with a more nuanced, restrained masculine approach in menswear at Versace, mixing prints, leather, and high-contrast tailoring.

Alaïa’s commercial success under Richemont, including attention-grabbing pieces like mesh ballet flats and the Le Teckel bag, showcases Mulier’s ability to deliver marketable, critically acclaimed collections.

Mulier is praised for blending high fashion with everyday desirability, translating runway ideas into translatable retail pieces and shaping Alaïa’s body-conscious aesthetic.

Versace has named Pieter Mulier, currently the creative director at Maison Alaïa, as chief creative officer, effective July 1, reporting to Lorenzo Bertelli as part of a broader strategic rotation following the Prada Group’s acquisition of Versace from Capri Holdings.

Mulier succeeds Dario Vitale, whose departure in December 2025 coincided with ongoing leadership reshuffles at Versace, with Donatella Versace remaining a central figure at the house.

His five-year tenure at Alaïa demonstrated a knack for innovative fabric manipulation and turning runway fantasy into wearable pieces loved by a broad audience.

The announcement frames Mulier as a designer capable of merging heritage with contemporary vision, aligning Versace with a refreshed identity.

The organization notes that Versace is not currently on Milan Women’s Fashion Week’s calendar, while speculating about ongoing leadership changes within the brand and its parent group.