Gucci bids farewell to Sabato De Sarno following a two-year stint with the company
Gucci Announces New Creative Director, Sabato De Sarno Steps Down
Italian fashion house Gucci has announced a significant change in its creative leadership. Sabato De Sarno, who was appointed as the creative director in January 2023, will be stepping down from his role.
De Sarno oversaw Gucci's womenswear, menswear, leather goods, accessories, and lifestyle collections during his tenure. His debut collection celebrated the 'joy of life' and introduced 'Ancora' red, a deep oxblood red, which became a signature colour for the brand.
De Sarno's shows were held at prestigious venues such as Milan's Triennale museum and the Tate Modern in London, with a 'tapestry' of plants as the backdrop for his first Cruise show. He also introduced Paul Mescal as a high-profile ambassador to Gucci.
However, the critical reaction to De Sarno's shows was mixed, and Gucci reported losses of 25% in the final quarter of 2024. Despite this, Francesca Bellettini, Kering deputy CEO, expressed gratitude for De Sarno's loyalty and professionalism, and was proud of the work done to strengthen Gucci's fundamentals.
Bellettini also revealed that the upcoming runway show during Milan Fashion Week in March will be created by the Gucci 'design office'. She did not reveal any details about De Sarno's successor but assured that the new creative director will be announced in 'due time'.
Meanwhile, Kim Jones has exited Dior, leaving a vacancy in the luxury fashion world. Fendi remains without a creative lead, and it remains to be seen who will take on these high-profile roles.
Rumours of De Sarno's departure were confirmed when Demna Gvasalia was announced as the new creative director of Gucci, with his first collection debuting at Milan Fashion Week on September 23, 2025.
Before joining Gucci, De Sarno worked at Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, and Valentino, where he became the house's fashion director. It is expected that he will bring his unique vision and expertise to his future endeavours.
As Gucci prepares for a new era under Gvasalia's leadership, it remains to be seen how the brand will continue to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing fashion landscape.
