The Italian designer, who replaces Alessandro Michele, is now at the helm of the luxury fashion house
Gucci has named Sabato De Sarno as its new creative director, following the departure of Alessandro Michele last November.
The Italian luxury brand made the announcement on Instagram through a shared post with its parent company Kering. According to the post, De Sarno will lead the fashion house’s design studio, “with the responsibility for defining and expressing the House’s creative vision across the women’s, men’s, leather goods, accessories and lifestyle collections”.
In a statement, Kering’s CEO and chairman, François-Henri Pinault, shared, “With Sabato De Sarno at the creative helm, we are confident that the house will continue both to influence fashion and culture through highly desirable products and collections, and to bring a singular and contemporary perspective to modern luxury.”
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Like Michele had been when he was named Gucci’s creative director in 2015, De Sarno is a relatively unknown fashion designer. His LinkedIn profile, however, suggests his vast experience with luxury fashion brands: he had previously worked at Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, and most recently Valentino, where he worked for 13 years. In 2020, he became the Italian label’s fashion director for both men’s and women’s ready-to-wear.
“I am deeply honoured to take on the role as creative director of Gucci,” shared De Sarno in a statement on his appointment at Gucci. “I am proud to join a house with such an extraordinary history and heritage, that over the years has been able to welcome and cherish values I believe in. I am touched and excited to contribute my creative vision for the brand.”
According to Gucci’s Instagram post, De Sarno will showcase his debut runway collection for the Italian fashion brand at Milan Fashion Week in September 2023.