After two years at the helm of the Italian house, following in the footsteps of Alessandro Michele, it has been announced that De Sarno is parting ways with Gucci.
For the past few months, fashion’s hectic game of musical chairs had us all on the edge of our seats, waiting for some news to break — but Sabato de Sarno leaving Gucci was on no one’s bingo card. Gucci’s parent company, Kering, announced the departure of the Italian brand’s creative director this morning, only two years after he stepped into the role, succeeding Alessandro Michele.
De Sarno joined Gucci following his tenure as fashion director at Valentino, where he oversaw both men’s and women’s collections, having previously worked at Dolce & Gabbana and Prada in the early ’00s. “I would like to express my deep gratitude to Sabato for his passion and dedication to Gucci. I sincerely appreciate how he honoured Gucci’s craftsmanship and heritage with such commitment,” said Stefano Cantino, Gucci’s CEO, of Sabato De Sarno’s departure in a press statement. The Fall-Winter ’25 fashion show in Milan on February 25 will be presented by the Gucci design office, and a new Artistic Direction will be announced in “due time”.
The designer’s exit comes at a time when Gucci’s sales are struggling, sending internet rumours into overdrive amid speculation over who will pick up the mantle — Marc Jacobs, Hedi Slimane, Maria Grazia Chiuri? Our eyes are peeled.
