Donatella Versace has stepped down as the head of Italian luxury fashion empire Versace after clashing with its owners.

The designer, 69, has been at the helm of her family’s eponymous brand for nearly 30 years and will be succeeded by Dario Vitale, who was previously ready-to-wear design director at Miu Miu.

It was announced on Thursday that she will step down as creative director of Versace, a position she took on after her brother and its founder, Gianni Versace, was killed in Miami in 1997.

Instead, Donatella will take on a role as the company’s chief brand ambassador after Vitale formally steps into her shoes on April 1.

It comes after rumours of discord between Donatella and Capri Holdings, which purchased the fashion empire in 2018 in a $2 billion (£1.67 billion) deal.

According to reports, the Italian designer is said to have clashed repeatedly with Capri’s chief executive John D Idol, who is understood to be dissatisfied with earnings.

Speaking about her exit, Donatella said: “Championing the next generation of designers has always been important to me. It’s been the greatest honour of my life to carry on my brother, Gianni’s, legacy. He was the true genius but I hope to have some of his spirit and tenacity.”