As the fashion industry shake-ups continue, Gucci has announced Sabato de Sarno's departure after just two years at the helm. De Sarno, who succeeded Alessandro Michele in early 2023, will be replaced by a successor to be named "in due time," according to the brand.
De Sarno's appointment in January 2023 followed the surprising departure of Alessandro Michele in December 2022, after a seven-year run. De Sarno's selection was considered unexpected at the time. His responsibilities included overseeing all collections for women, men, accessories, leather goods, and lifestyle products.
He debuted his first Gucci collection at Milan Fashion Week in September 2023. De Sarno's career began at Prada in 2005, followed by stints at Dolce&Gabbana and Valentino, where he rose to become fashion director for both men's and women's collections.
The announcement was made via a press release, which also stated that the upcoming Autumn/Winter fashion show, scheduled for later this month, will be presented by the Gucci creative studio.
This change in leadership coincides with the arrival of a new CEO, Stefano Cantino, who has taken over from Jean-François Palus. Cantino expressed his gratitude to de Sarno, saying, "I would like to express my deep gratitude to Sabato for his passion and dedication to Gucci. I truly appreciate the way he has honoured Gucci’s craftsmanship and heritage with such commitment.”