Dario Vitale to lead creative direction at Emporio Armani

Italian fashion house Armani has appointed Dario Vitale as creative director of its Emporio Armani line and Giorgio Armani Accessories, Italian news agency ANSA reported Wednesday.

Vitale, an Italian designer, previously served as creative director of Versace and has also worked with fashion houses, including Miu Miu, Bottega Veneta and Dsquared2.

His appointment marks the first time someone outside the Giorgio Armani family has taken the creative director role. The founder of the fashion house died last year at the age of 91.

According to the report, the Armani Group said Vitale's appointment would begin a new chapter for the brand while maintaining the design vision associated with the Giorgio Armani name.