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Pieter Mulier soft-launched his tenure at Versace, dressing Nicole Kidman for the Los Angeles premier of her latest movie “Practical Magic 2” on Monday night.
The gown, made of delicate black lace with an asymmetric skirt — paired with matching heels and a choker — offered audiences a first glimpse of Mulier’s Versace and teased the relaunch of the brand’s top-end Atelier Versace line months before a runway debut.
But the dress may ultimately say more about the witchy character played by Kidman in the film than Mulier’s vision for Versace.
Mulier, who came to the label from Alaïa, was installed by Versace’s new acquirers, Prada Group, in July, following a one-season stint by predecessor Dario Vitale.
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Credited with reviving Alaïa — a delicate task as the first designer to succeed house founder Azzedine Alaïa — Mulier faces new challenges at Versace. Revenue at the Italian brand has stagnated for years under its previous owner, Capri Holdings, while Vitale’s departure, after a single collection that generated considerable interest, disappointed some critics.
The upcoming Venice Film Festival, which starts on Wednesday, is also likely to become a staging ground for fashion, after last year’s event offered sneak peeks of high-profile designer reboots, including Jonathan Anderson at Dior, Matthieu Blazy at Chanel, Louise Trotter at Bottega Veneta and Vitale at Versace.
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Pieter Mulier to Design Versace, Prada Group Confirms
The outgoing Alaïa designer and long-time lieutenant of Prada co-creative director Raf Simons will be tasked with revitalising Prada Group’s new acquisition, following the ouster of Dario Vitale in December.
