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Donatella Versace Steps Down After 30 Years At The Helm of Fashion Empire

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 14, 2025

After nearly three decades steering the iconic Versace brand, Donatella Versace is stepping down from her role as head of the fashion house. The 69-year-old Italian designer, who inherited the reins from her late brother, Gianni, following his tragic murder in 1997, will remain with the company as its Chief Brand Ambassador. She is set to pass the creative torch to Dario Vitale, the former design and image director of Miu Miu, who will take on the position of Chief Creative Officer.

In her Instagram announcement, Donatella shared her thoughts: “Championing the next generation of designers has always been important to me,” she wrote, expressing her excitement for Vitale’s appointment. “I am thrilled that Dario Vitale will be joining us, and I am eager to see Versace through new eyes.”

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While her new role shifts focus, Donatella’s deep connection to Versace remains unchanged. “Versace is in my DNA and always in my heart,” she declared. Donatella’s stewardship has firmly cemented the brand as a staple in the luxury fashion industry, with designs worn by global superstars like Dua Lipa, Angelina Jolie, and Sabrina Carpenter.

In a heartfelt reflection, Donatella expressed her gratitude: “It has been the greatest honour of my life to carry on my brother Gianni’s legacy. He was the true genius, but I hope I have some of his spirit and tenacity.” Despite her transition, she reaffirmed her commitment to the brand’s future, adding: “I will remain Versace’s most passionate supporter.”

The announcement was met with a wave of tributes from the fashion world. Celebrities like actor Damian Hurley, singer Sabrina Carpenter, and model Iris Law shared their admiration for the designer’s contribution to the industry. “We love you forever,” Hurley commented, while Carpenter called her “one and only,” and Law posted, “Love you so much.”

This shake-up in leadership comes as speculation mounts that Prada Group may be eyeing a potential acquisition of Versace from its current owner, Capri Holdings, which purchased the luxury brand for €2 billion in 2018. As Donatella steps into her new role, the future of Versace remains closely watched by both fans and industry insiders.

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Bank of Cyprus Upgrade Signals Fresh Optimism For Greek And Cypriot Banks

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 26, 2026

Regional Banks Enter A More Favorable Cycle

Bank of Cyprus and Eurobank are well positioned to benefit from a renewed re-rating of Greek and Cypriot bank stocks, according to Cyprus-based investment firm Roemer Capital, which upgraded Bank of Cyprus to a buy rating and reaffirmed its positive view on Eurobank.

The firm cited easing geopolitical tensions, resilient economic growth in Greece and Cyprus, lower funding costs and Greece’s expected transition to developed-market status as the main factors supporting the sector.

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Roemer Capital also lowered its cost of equity assumptions, updated its forecasts following first-quarter 2026 results and extended its valuation horizon to the end of 2027, raising target prices across its banking coverage.

Bank Of Cyprus Gets The Largest Upgrade

Bank of Cyprus received the biggest revision, with Roemer Capital upgrading the stock from hold to buy and setting a target price of €11.10, implying potential total upside of 27%.

The firm highlighted the bank’s strong capital generation, profitability and projected 100% dividend payout, describing it as the strongest capital-return story among the banks under coverage. Roemer Capital maintained its buy rating on Eurobank, assigning a target price of €4.90 and forecasting potential upside of 28%. The report said the bank is well placed to benefit from loan growth, improving operating performance and merger-and-acquisition synergies.

National Bank of Greece and Piraeus Bank also retained buy ratings, with expected returns ranging from 25% to 36%. Optima Bank was upgraded to buy, while Alpha Bank remained at hold on valuation grounds.

Why Growth Still Sets The Region Apart

According to Roemer Capital, Greek and Cypriot banks continue to benefit from stronger economic fundamentals than many western European peers. The report pointed to faster economic growth, healthier balance sheets, low levels of non-performing exposures, capital ratios approaching 20% and strong customer deposit bases.

Analysts expect performing loans across the sector to grow at a compound annual rate of 6% to 8% through 2028, supported by private investment, digitalisation, green manufacturing, supply-chain expansion and a gradual recovery in household lending.

The report also said the conclusion of lending under the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility is unlikely to materially affect credit growth, as banks have already shifted back towards traditional commercial lending. Roemer Capital expects Euribor to remain between 2.2% and 2.5%, a level it believes should support both lending activity and net interest margins.

Geopolitics, Valuation And Market Structure Support The Case

The report said improving geopolitical conditions have strengthened the investment outlook, noting that Brent crude prices have largely returned to pre-war levels while Greek government bond yields have stabilised at around 3.5%. Although geopolitical risks remain, Roemer Capital believes the likelihood of a major inflationary shock or significant pressure on bank profitability has eased.

Another important catalyst identified by the firm is Greece’s expected promotion to developed-market status by FTSE Russell, STOXX and MSCI over the coming months.

According to the report, the reclassification should improve liquidity and attract a broader base of international investors. Roemer Capital also said Euronext’s acquisition of the Athens Exchange is expected to strengthen market infrastructure and increase international visibility, particularly for Bank of Cyprus and Optima Bank.

The firm noted that Bank of Cyprus has already benefited from its Athens listing, with average daily trading value increasing from less than €400,000 before its September 2024 move to nearly €6 million afterwards.

Economic Momentum Remains A Core Tailwind

Roemer Capital said both Greece and Cyprus have moved beyond post-crisis recovery and are now supported by private-sector-led growth. For Cyprus, the report highlighted recent tax reform and efforts to simplify the legal and regulatory framework, while also noting that limited foreign banking competition continues to support domestic lenders.

Overall, Roemer Capital expects Greek and Cypriot banks to remain well-positioned for profitable loan growth over the coming years.