Donatella Versace announced on Thursday that she is stepping down as chief creative officer of Versace, ending her nearly 30-year-long stint at the Italian luxury fashion empire's helm.

Italian luxury house Versace has named its successor to Donatella Versace, who is stepping down as chief creative officer, a role that she has held since 1997.

Donatella — who took the reins of Versace after the 1997 murder of her brother, Gianni, and has since been the driving force behind the brand’s evolution — will now become Chief Brand AmbassadorAfter nearly 30 years at the helm of Versace,

Following 27 years at the helm of the house her brothers Gianni and Santo founded in 1978, the iconic designer will now take on the new role of chief brand ambassador.

In news announced today, the indomitable designer will step away from her role as creative director of Versace to become chief brand ambassador, replaced with former Miu Miu design director Dario Vita

MILAN – Donatella Versace was named brand ambassador of the fashion house she has helped grow on her own for the past 28 years, following the death of her beloved brother Gianni. On Thursday, Versace announced that the designer would be succeeded by Dario Vitale, named chief creative officer, effective April 1.

Donatella Versace has been replaced as creative director of the fashion house founded by her late brother Gianni Versace, assuming the new role of chief brand ambassador, Versace’s U.S. owner Capri Holdings announced on Thursday.

Huge change is afoot in Milan with the news that Donatella Versace is set to step down from her position as chief creative officer of her late brother Gianni Versace's namesake fashion house, a role she has held for almost 30 years.