Versace will return to the haute couture runway in January 2027, with Pieter Mulier set to present his debut collection for Atelier Versace during Paris Couture Week. The Italian fashion house confirmed the upcoming show in a statement shared, marking a significant moment in its creative transition following its acquisition by Prada Group last year.
The presentation will be Atelier Versace’s first dedicated couture runway show since July 2016. Although the house has continued its couture business through private client orders and red-carpet appearances, the return to the official calendar signals renewed ambitions for the atelier under Mulier’s leadership. Versace has yet to announce the show’s exact date and venue.
Atelier Versace Returns After a Decade
EXCLUSIVE: Versace Confirms a Couture Debut for Pieter Mulier https://t.co/vEvGnuqWHp
— WWD (@wwd) October 28, 2026
Paris Couture Week is scheduled to take place from January 25 to 28, 2027, in the French capital. Versace confirmed that its presentation would take place during the event, with further details to be announced in due course.
The return marks the latest chapter in Atelier Versace’s history, which began under founder Gianni Versace. The couture line presented its first collection in Paris in 1990, establishing a platform for the house to explore intricate craftsmanship and more experimental designs. Following periods of inactivity, Atelier Versace returned to the runway before staging its last dedicated couture presentation in July 2016.
Since then, the house has maintained its presence in haute couture through bespoke commissions and celebrity dressing. The January show will bring that work back to the runway, offering a public introduction to the atelier’s direction under its new creative leadership.
Pieter Mulier’s First Major Statement for Versace
VERSACE APPOINTS PIETER MULIER AS CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICERVersace and Prada Group announce the appointment of Pieter Mulier as Chief Creative Officer, effective July 1st, 2026. This choice marks the beginning of a new chapter for the brand.Throughout his career, Mulier has shaped distinctive aesthetics, contributing to the success of brands such as Raf Simons, Jil Sander, Dior, Calvin Klein and currently Alaïa in the role of Creative Director.Photo credit: Karim Sadli.
— VERSACE (@Versace) February 5, 2026
Mulier officially began his role at Versace on July 1, 2026. Before his debut collection reaches the runway, the designer has already offered a glimpse of his work through a red-carpet appearance by Nicole Kidman.
The actress wore an asymmetric black lace gown from Atelier Versace to the Los Angeles premiere of “Practical Magic 2″ on August 31. The look provided an early indication of Mulier’s approach to the house, with its emphasis on a dramatic silhouette and intricate detailing.
The couture collection will give the designer a larger platform to establish his interpretation of Versace’s aesthetic. Known for his work at Alaïa, Mulier brings experience in sculptural construction and precise craftsmanship to a house historically associated with sensual silhouettes, bold glamour, and a strong relationship with celebrity culture.
His appointment has drawn attention to how those different design sensibilities might come together. The January presentation will provide the first substantial runway indication of the direction he intends to take.
Prada Group Acquisition Shapes the Brand’s Next Chapter
Former fashion rivals are now united as Prada Group announced it has purchased Milan neighbor Versace in a deal worth almost $1.4 billion. Read more: https://t.co/gVg4gbeGim https://t.co/QsbhBJfP1g
— ABC News (@ABC) December 2, 2025
The announcement comes as Versace enters a new phase under Prada Group, which acquired the Italian fashion house in 2025. Mulier’s debut is expected to provide the first major public signal of the brand’s creative direction under its new ownership.
Prada Group chairman and executive director Patrizio Bertelli previously highlighted the companies’ shared commitment to creativity, craftsmanship, and heritage. He said the objective was to continue Versace’s legacy while celebrating and reinterpreting its bold, timeless aesthetic.
Prada Group chief executive officer Andrea Guerra also offered an update on the integration during the company’s recent nine-month financial reporting. Guerra said the process was progressing in the right direction, noting that the group was beginning to see the shape of upcoming collections and evaluate finished products rather than simply discuss ideas.
The return of Atelier Versace provides an opportunity to put those ambitions into practice. Couture could serve as an initial platform for defining the house’s visual direction before Mulier’s ready-to-wear collections reach a wider market.
What the January Debut Means for Versace
The timing of the presentation places Versace back in the spotlight during the winter couture season, which overlaps with Hollywood’s awards calendar. Given the house’s established relationships with celebrities and its continued couture dressing, the collection could generate further attention through red-carpet appearances and other high-profile moments.
However, the runway debut will be only one part of the brand’s broader transition. The longer-term challenge will be translating the creative direction introduced through couture into ready-to-wear, accessories, and other products while maintaining Versace’s distinctive identity.
For now, the confirmed return of Atelier Versace establishes January as an important date for the house. Mulier’s debut at Paris Couture Week will offer the clearest indication yet of how he plans to reinterpret the label’s heritage and shape its future under Prada Group ownership.
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