Italian luxury conglomerate Kering Group has announced the appointment of Sabato De Sarno as Gucci creative director. De Sarno will present his debut runway collection at Milan Women’s Fashion Week in September 2023.
“I am delighted that Sabato will join Gucci as the house’s new creative director, one of the most influential roles in the luxury industry,” said Gucci CEO Marco Bizzarri. “Having worked with a number of Italy’s most renowned luxury fashion houses, he brings with him a vast and relevant experience. I am certain that through Sabato’s deep understanding and appreciation for Gucci’s unique legacy, he will lead our creative teams with a distinctive vision that will help write this exciting next chapter, reinforcing the House’s fashion authority while capitalizing on its rich heritage.
The 39-year-old De Sarno was raised in Naples, Italy. He began his career at Prada in 2005, moving to Dolce & Gabbana, before joining Valentino in 2009, where he eventually was appointed fashion director of men’s and women’s collections.
De Sarno has big shoes to fill, replacing Alessandro Michele, a widely popular designer who was the creative director of Gucci for seven years. Along with reinvigorating Gucci when interest in the label was at an all time low, as head of the group’s largest label he also reignited sales with Kering’s stock soaring 280 percent during his tenure.
Given his success, the fashion community was stunned when it was revealed he was forced out by management, for refusing to “initiate a strong design shift” to usher in a new look with the hope of spurring growth.
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