Why is Donatella Versace angry with a South Beach hotel? It’s all in a name

Donatella is mad.

The fashion icon and a force behind the Versace brand took to her Instagram account last weekend to denounce a new South Beach hotel and restaurant for using her name.

“The hotel and restaurant named ‘Donatella’, located near the property where my brother’s life was taken, has and will never have anything to do with me, or my family,” she wrote. “To try to capitalize on our tragedy and my name for profit is disgraceful.”

Donatella Versace is the sister of Gianni Versace, the Italian fashion mogul murdered in 1997 on the steps of his Miami Beach mansion. She also was a prominent fashion designer and CEO of Versace until March when she announced she’d step down.

There is somewhat of a link between the hotel owners and the Versace empire. Hotel partner Joe Nakash acquired Versace’s South Beach mansion in a New York auction in 2013 for $41.5 million. The runner-up was Donald Trump. But it’s not clear if Nakash has had any relationship with Versace or his family.

Since the six-room Donatella Boutique Hotel & Restaurant opened a week ago at 1350 Collins Ave., the place has gotten its share of media attention. Some of the reports have described it as a “sister property” to the former Versace Mansion, repeating language used in press releases sent out by the new hotel’s public relations firm.

So, is there really a connection?

In a May 1 interview with the Miami Herald, hotel executive Jamil Dib said “there’s no connection. ... I don’t know the family at all.”

Since Donatella Versace’s angry reaction, the hotel executives have declined to comment, except to say it’s business as usual with an official public launch on May 21.

Despite her message, Donatella may not be able to stop the Donatella Boutique Hotel & Restaurant.

The owners have obtained a trademark to use Donatella’s name.

This story was originally published May 17, 2025 at 5:00 AM.