Prada Announces Departure of CEO Gianfranco D'Attis as Part of Strategic Leadership Change

Prada, in the midst of a reorganization of its top management. Gianfranco D'Attis is about to leave his position as CEO of the company. As advanced by WWD, the Italian group has confirmed the departure of the executive, stressing that it occurs "by mutual agreement", after months of speculation in the market and a visible absence of the executive in the spring/summer 2026 menswear show held last Sunday in Milan.

The departure of D'Attis, who joined Prada in January 2022, would be motivated by internal tensions linked to the group's strategy. Several sources in Milan point to disagreements with the owners of the company and with the executive leadership. Andrea Guerra, current CEO of Prada Group, will take over the direction of the brand on an interim basis after the departure of D'Attis, on June 30.

D'Attis was the first external executive to take over as CEO of Prada, until then in the hands of founders Patrizio Bertelli and Miuccia Prada. His arrival coincided with a new phase of professionalization within the holding company, which also includes the Miu Miu, Church's and Car Shoe brands.

With previous experience as president of Christian Dior Couture Americas and international director of Jaeger-LeCoultre, D'Attis came to the Italian group with the aim of strengthening the weight of key markets such as China and the United States, introducing new categories such as jewelry with recycled gold and home in flagship stores, and rejuvenating the brand's audience.

Prada will terminate the agreement with its former CEO on June 30

During his tenure, the executive promoted changes in the commercial and retail structure, in line with the group's strategy to integrate new business areas and reposition its offer. However, in recent months, internal tensions have deteriorated the relationship with Prada's management, leading to an early exit.

The termination comes at a time of uneven growth among the group's brands. In the first quarter of the year, Prada Group sales rose 13% to €1.34 billion ($1.54 billion), driven mainly by the performance of Miu Miu.

While Prada's sales remained stable at €827 million ($952,4 million), the brand creatively led by Miuccia Prada and Raff Simons experienced a 60% rise at constant exchange rates to €377 million ($434 million), with growth in all categories and regions.

The news also comes weeks after the group confirmed the acquisition of 100% of Versace, until now held by Capri Holdings, for €1.25 billion ($1.43 billion), in a deal that strengthens its positioning in the global luxury segment and accelerates its roadmap towards brand diversification.

Prada, which is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and plans an upcoming secondary listing in Europe, thus continues the transformation of its governance and executive structure, with a more corporate and professionalized management, although the weight of the founding family continues to set the direction of the group.