Milan Fashion Week on September 26, 2025, became an unforgettable moment for STAY, as Stray Kids’ Hyunjin, global brand ambassador for Versace, took center stage at the Spring/Summer 2026 show. The event marked Dario Vitale’s debut as the first non-family creative director of the house.
Hyunjin at Incheon Airport in Seoul, South Korea
The show, held in the historic Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, reflected Vitale’s immersive approach: unmade beds, scattered personal effects, antique furniture, and a nostalgic soundtrack: George Michael, Prince, Annie Lennox, and Eurythmics. This created an intimate, almost voyeuristic atmosphere. For STAY, the real story was Hyunjin, front row and glowing, dressed in a black leather jacket over a gray-and-white striped shirt, a tie, black pants with a gold buckle belt, and signature Versace glasses, radiating effortless elegance and youthful energy.
Hyunjin: The Prince of Versace
Pictures from Donatella Versace’s Instagram
Hyunjin’s first stop in Milan was not the runway but Donatella Versace herself. Hours after landing, he made his way to her private residence with a gift: Stray Kids’ KARMA album encased and inscribed with a personal note. In it, he thanked her for the confidence she gives him, wrote that he loves her, and wished they could see each other again soon. Donatella, in turn, presented him with a book bearing her own inscription. A gesture that reaffirmed his title as “Versace Prince.”
For STAY, this meeting flew under the radar. Maybe it wasn’t the glamour of a front-row seat we are so used to but meaningful regardless. Even though Donatella has already stepped down from her role as creative director, her affection for Hyunjin remains visible and enduring. STAY shared translations, screenshots, and heartfelt messages, celebrating the warm reunion and expressing how much we missed seeing Donatella during this Fashion Week.
The future now belongs to Dario Vitale, a designer whose vision contrasts sharply with Donatella’s glittering warmth. On the day of the show, he shared a deeply personal message on his Instagram story that felt more like a confession, than anything else. It read like a love note and a manifesto all at once:
Dario Vitale’s Instagram Story
Where Donatella’s words to Hyunjin were about confidence and affection, Vitale’s are about disruption and longing. Together, they sketch the outlines of Versace’s next chapter: heritage wrapped in intimacy, tradition undone by poetry.
And Hyunjin stands at the center of that shift. His bond with Donatella anchors him firmly in the house’s legacy, while his youth and artistry mirror the reckless invitation in Vitale’s prose. For STAY, the hope is clear: that the same trust and affection Hyunjin shares with Donatella will grow between him and Dario, making him not just the “Prince of Versace”, but the face of its new era.
Dario Vitale: From Miu Miu to Versace’s Creative Helm
Before stepping into the Versace spotlight, Dario Vitale spent 14 years honing his craft at Miu Miu, Prada’s younger, more playful sister brand. Growing up in Italy, Vitale absorbed the bold, unapologetic confidence that has always defined Italian style. “It’s something that belongs to culture. It’s something that you know by heart,” he said backstage, reflecting on the intimate understanding that allows him to reinterpret Versace’s codes authentically.
Vitale’s trajectory from his early design education to his tenure at Miu Miu shaped the designer he is today. Known for his sharp sense of color, daring layering techniques, and ability to translate archival inspiration into contemporary silhouettes, he brought a sense of personal history to his debut collection. Unlike previous Versace directors, Vitale does not come from the family lineage, but his Italian upbringing and career path have instilled in him a deep familiarity with the house’s cultural DNA.
The SS26 Collection: Vibrancy, Sensuality, and Everyday Confidence
Courtesy of Versace
Vitale’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection was described as a “love letter to Gianni.” Drawing heavily from the 1980s Versace aesthetic, the collection emphasized overt sexuality, bold prints, and vibrant color clashes. High-waisted jeans were cinched tightly, T-shirts featured daring open-sided cuts, and dresses often left backs or sides revealing in a playful nod to sensuality. Layering was key: knit sweaters over collared shirts over undershirts, some cut to resemble extreme muscle tees, while gold-beaded skirts gaped just enough to hint at cotton briefs below.
Prints ranged from playful reinterpretations of Warhol-inspired Marilyn Monroe motifs to subtle baroque scrolls and animal patterns. Vitale deliberately avoided literal recreation, instead capturing the spirit of Gianni’s designs; their energy, confidence, and unapologetic boldness, and applying it to a younger, more street-oriented audience. Those curious about Gianni’s original work can revisit my earlier coverage to fully understand the inspirations Vitale references.
Industry Reception: Edgy by Design
Vitale’s debut proved polarizing within fashion circles. Critics were divided: some hailed the casual, ’80s street-informed reinterpretation as a fresh start, while others found it messy or a departure from Versace’s signature glamour. Reviewers noted the collection appeared tailored for a younger, more street-style-conscious customer; a move that may redefine the house’s global audience in the coming years.
After so many years admiring Donatella’s work, I must admit I’ll miss it; not because I fail to appreciate Dario’s craft; on the contrary, his fabulous vision was evident from the first look on the runway. Donatella’s designs have long been an empowering celebration of divine femininity, while Dario’s homage to Gianni revisits the androgynous, boundary-pushing spirit that stirred controversy in the ’80s and ’90s: sensual, daring, and flamboyant. At the end of the day, fashion is about breaking rules while placing craftsmanship and artistic vision above all else.
Despite varied opinions, one consensus emerged: Vitale successfully captured the essence of Gianni Versace without succumbing to literal replication. The collection balanced historical homage with contemporary innovation, creating a liberated, sexually-charged, and visually dynamic statement.
With Dario Vitale at the helm and Hyunjin as the shining face, Versace enters a bold new chapter. Vitale’s debut signaled a shift toward street-savvy, youthful energy while honoring the house’s legendary aesthetic. But for STAY, Hyunjin is the story: the prince, the ambassador, the main character who makes history effortlessly.
Those curious about the roots of Vitale’s references can revisit my previous articles on Gianni Versace’s legacy, understanding the past illuminates how Hyunjin and Vitale together could influence the future of Versace.
The Aura of the Versace Prince
Photos from Hyunjin’s Instagram
After the show, Hyunjin didn’t retreat behind velvet ropes or VIP exits. He stepped out into the streets of Milan, greeting STAY with calm confidence and a subtle, flirty charm that made every interaction feel personal. With a warm smile and collected poise, he signed albums (or any “boy paper” offered), waved, and encouraged fans to cheer his name, turning the ordinary streetscape into a stage of intimate connection. His aura, simultaneously magnetic and approachable, reminded everyone why he is the perfect ambassador for a house that thrives on charisma and bold expression. Not that anyone had any doubts. His presence alone caused a frenzy.
Versace’s choice to make Hyunjin a global ambassador feels smarter than ever. In a moment where the house embraces Dario Vitale’s daring vision, with his poetic and slightly rebellious take on the brand, Hyunjin stands as the ideal face to embody this new era. Both of them are artists who push boundaries: Hyunjin in music and performance, Dario in fashion. Together, their collaboration promises not just campaigns or appearances, but a convergence of artistry and attitude that feels inevitable, exhilarating, and unmistakably Versace.
