On Saturday morning, Kering and Gucci announced that Sabato De Sarno is the Italian brand’s new creative director, succeeding Alessandro Michele who exited last November.
“I am delighted that Sabato will join Gucci as the House’s new Creative Director, one of the most influential roles in the luxury industry,” Marco Bizzarri, Gucci’s president and CEO, stated. “Having worked with a number of Italy’s most renowned luxury fashion houses, he brings with him a vast and relevant experience.”
The financial stakes for Kering are considerable. Gucci accounted for two-thirds of the group’s profits in 2021 and brought in almost 10 billion euros, or nearly $10.9 billion, in revenue. But after years of stellar sales powered by the vision of Mr. Michele — one of kooky inclusivity that embodied a wider cultural conversation around gender, sexual identity and race — momentum had started to slow. In November, he abruptly left the brand.
