Dario Vitale, whose sole collection with Versace became almost mythic for fashion insiders, is taking on a corner of the Armani empire. Dario Vitale, an Italian designer who previously spent just eight months as the creative director of Versace, was announced on Wednesday as the new creative director of Emporio Armani. Since Vitale’s abrupt ousting at Versace in December, the industry’s chattering class has been swept up in an endless game of prognosticating his next move.

Signing Vitale — whose sole collection has been puffed up to an almost mythical reputation in the fashion world — is a boon for Armani, which has been a bit flat on the creative side since the death of its founder, Giorgio Armani, last September. Vitale will now be in charge of Emporio, the more sprightly, spangly and occasionally sexy corner of the Armani empire. He will also be the creative director of Giorgio Armani’s accessories, the first person outside the Armani family to hold that role.