Julia Roberts, Dario Vitale’s muse for Versace at the Venice Film Festival

The Venice Film Festival 2025 didn’t just spotlight cinema. Julia Roberts appeared as the first muse of Versace’s new artistic director, Dario Vitale.

The Venice Film Festival is an eagerly-awaited event not only for film lovers, but also for the fashion world. This year, a discreet but highly symbolic event took place there: Dario Vitale ‘s first steps as head of design at Versace. And to write this first chapter, he chose a muse both surprising and obvious: Julia Roberts.

Julia Roberts, elegance incarnate

The Oscar-winning actress made a striking appearance on the cobblestones of Venice. Far from the expected excesses of a house known for its baroque pomp, she opted for a sober, controlled silhouette. A blue wool jacket with an architectural cut dominated the outfit. It was paired with a casual striped shirt, sober jeans and woven leather Vienna 95 shoes.

A choice that illustrates the new artistic director’s desire to emphasize subtlety and balance, without erasing the house’s heritage.

Versace codes revisited

Although measured, this first stylistic gesture did not forget the symbols of the Italian house. The Medusa, Versace’s emblem, discreetly adorned the clasp of the handbag. A gold belt, in contrast to the sobriety of the rest of the outfit, recalled the Gianni Versace years and his taste for flamboyant baroque.

This blend of contemporary restraint and historical detail foreshadows the direction Dario Vitale might take: a Versace that’s still theatrical, but more introspective, more suited to a new generation.

An unexpected but natural muse

The choice of Julia Roberts as ambassador is no mean feat. Known for her luminous charisma and timeless elegance, she embodies a universal Hollywood glamour. Under Vitale’s vision, she takes on another dimension: that of a modern woman, almost androgynous in her allure, but always radiant.

In this way, it becomes a symbol of the bridge between two ages: the opulence of the 1990s and a sharper, more inward-looking modernity.

From Venice to Milan: the sequel to be written

This launch at the Venice Mostra is a prologue. The real rendezvous is expected at Milan Fashion Week, where Dario Vitale will have to fully assert his vision. If Julia Roberts’ appearance heralds a new form of elegance for Versace, it remains to be seen how this direction will translate on the catwalk.

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