"Versace is in my DNA and always in my heart," the Italian fashion maven wrote on Instagram, where she announced who will replace her.

The platinum blond fixture of Italian fashion, who turns 70 in May, will be succeeded by Miu Miu’s design director Dario Vitale, in what some industry insiders see as a prelude to an upcoming acquisition of Versace by its larger rival Prada, which also owns Miu Miu.

Donatella Versace has been replaced as creative director of the fashion house founded by her late brother Gianni Versace