After a few months, and one fashion show, without a creative director, Gucci has a new man in charge. The Italian fashion giant has announced the appointment of Sabato De Sarno as creative director, succeeding Alessandro Michele, who parted ways with the brand late last year.
De Sarno is heading to Gucci from Valentino, a house he has worked at for 13 years, most recently serving as fashion director under Pierpaolo Piccioli. His CV also includes roles at Prada and Dolce & Gabbana.
“I am deeply honoured to take on the role as creative director of Gucci,” he said in a statement released over the weekend. “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.”
Just as with Michele’s appointment, the house looked behind-the-scenes for its next creative director, rather than choosing a household name or somebody who has already helmed another major fashion house.
Gucci CEO Marco Bizzarri revealed in a statement that he has confidence in De Sarno’s ability to successfully translate the heritage and legacy of Gucci.
“Having worked with a number of Italy’s most renowned luxury fashion houses, he brings with him a vast and relevant experience,” he said. “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 capitalising on its rich heritage.”
Exactly what De Sarno’s Gucci will look like remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure, the fashion world will have to wait another eight months to find out. The new creative director’s first collection for the house will be unveiled in September during the spring/summer 2024 shows in Milan. The in-house creative team will be responsible for the collections up until then, including autumn/winter 2023, which will be presented next month.
