De Sarno was named creative director of the storied Italian fashion house after the surprise departure of Alessandro Michele, who powered brand sales and Kering’s earnings with gender-fluid, eclectic, and romantic designs that rewrote Gucci’s codes.
Gucci designer Sabato De Sarno announces shock exit just two weeks before Milan Fashion Week The former creative director joined the brand in 2023.
Gucci’s recently appointed CEO, Stefano Cantino, commended the 42-year-old designer — who joined the brand in 2023 after serving as fashion director at Valentino — for honoring Gucci’s “craftsmanship and heritage” in his six collections.
Gucci’s heritage as a luggage and leather goods maker founded more than 100 years ago in Florence has given successive creative directors the potential for great leeway to interpret the brand’s codes — starting with Tom Ford’s sexy silhouettes of the 1990s.
Gucci announced his exit on Thursday (February 6) morning, just two and a half weeks before the brand is set to open Milan Fashion Week with its Fall 2025 show.
