Brands
Versace appoints Pieter Mulier as chief creative officer
MILAN: Versace has chosen Pieter Mulier to chart its next creative chapter, handing the Alaïa designer the role of chief creative officer as the Italian luxury house reshapes itself under Prada Group ownership.
The appointment, announced jointly by Prada Group and Versace, puts Mulier at the creative helm of one of fashion’s most recognisable brands, with a brief to honour its bold heritage while sharpening its future edge. Mulier will report to executive chairman Lorenzo Bertelli.
“When we considered the Versace acquisition, we identified Pieter Mulier as the right person for the brand. We believe that he can truly unlock Versace’s full potential and that he will be able to engage in a fruitful dialogue with the brand’s strong legacy. We are excited to begin this journey together,” Bertelli said.
Mulier arrives with decades of experience shaping distinctive aesthetics at some of the world’s leading fashion houses. Over his career, he has worked closely with Raf Simons and contributed to the success of brands such as Jil Sander, Dior and Calvin Klein.
After studying design and architecture, he was selected by Simons to join Jil Sander, serving as head of accessories, shoes and bags. He later became design director at Christian Dior, then global creative director at Calvin Klein, before taking on the creative director role at Maison Alaïa, where his work drew critical acclaim for modernising couture codes.
His move to Versace comes soon after Prada Group completed its acquisition of the label in December 2025. The deal, first announced in April 2025, saw Prada agree to buy 100 per cent of Versace from US-based Capri Holdings for about $1.38 billion. The transaction, one of the largest in Italy’s luxury sector in recent years, returned the Medusa-emblazoned house to Italian ownership.
For Versace, the message is clear: heritage will be protected, but the tempo will quicken. With Mulier in charge, the house is betting that disciplined design and fresh energy can turn legacy into momentum — and momentum into growth.
Brands
Aurelia launches Spring Summer ’26 collection with Ananya Panday
#HameshaTrending campaign spotlights trendy Indian wear in fresh silhouettes and florals across 240 plus stores.
MUMBAI: Ananya Panday just proved that Indian wear can trend harder than your group chat because when fashion keeps up with your vibe, every outfit’s a plot twist. Aurelia, the women’s ethnic wear brand from Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited TCNS Division, has rolled out its Spring Summer ’26 collection under the punchy #HameshaTrending campaign, fronted by hindi movie’s Gen Z favourite Ananya Panday. The move sharpens Aurelia’s spot as the brand for young women who crave the latest in Indian aesthetics without ditching comfort or confidence.
The campaign film bursts with girl-gang energy, makeover sessions, office hangs, road trips, and wedding chaos, each scene swapping moods and styles seamlessly. Ananya embodies the effortless switch kurta one minute, co-ord set the next showing how Aurelia keeps looks fresh, relevant, and ready for whatever the day throws.
Ananya Panday said, “I’ve always believed fashion should feel fun, easy, and totally you. I love experimenting with trends, but in a way that still feels comfortable and natural. That’s what I love about Aurelia… #HameshaTrending is such a vibe because it’s about staying updated and feeling confident every single day.”
Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited TCNS Division CEO Anant Daga added, “Aurelia has consistently resonated with women who want to stay relevant in an ever-evolving fashion landscape… The Spring Summer ’26 collection and #HameshaTrending campaign are strategic steps toward strengthening our fashion-forward credentials while continuing to offer accessibility, comfort, and inclusivity at scale.”
The collection itself is a seasonal refresh: updated kurta shapes, fluid co-ord sets, playful sleeves, bold necklines, softer pastels, on-trend florals, and breezy fabrics built for India’s heat. It’s designed to glide from desk days to brunch, festive dos to summer evenings proving wearable trendiness doesn’t mean sacrificing ease.
A full 360-degree rollout follows, the film hits social media, OTT, and digital video, backed by influencer tie-ups and creator buzz, while the pieces land in over 240 Aurelia stores plus online nationwide.
For anyone who’s ever stared at their wardrobe wondering how to stay current without trying too hard, this drop whispers: trend-chasing can be as simple as slipping into something that feels like you only sharper, brighter, and very much on point.
