Amid wider industry shakeups, Sabato De Sarno is leaving his role as creative director of Gucci
After joining the Italian label in January 2023, this morning it was announced that Sabato De Sarno is leaving his role as creative director of Gucci. The news comes at a time of great change in the fashion industry, as creative directors switch roles at luxury houses (see: John Galliano’s recent exit at Maison Margiela and Glenn Marten’s appointment, and Kim Jones’ exit at Dior Men, alongside rumours that Jonathan Anderson will exit Loewe and replace him).
“I would like to express my deep gratitude to Sabato for his passion and dedication to Gucci,” said Stefano Cantino, the CEO of Gucci, in a statement. “I sincerely appreciate how he honoured Gucci’s craftsmanship and heritage with such commitment.”
A successor to Gucci’s former creative director Alessandro Michele, who left the house in November 2022 after a seven-year tenure, De Sarno had previously worked as fashion director at Valentino, and before that, Dolce & Gabbana and Prada. In contrast to Michele’s whimsical and maximalist approach at Gucci, De Sarno’s two-year tenure signalled a quieter, more stripped-back touch; of De Sarno’s debut show, Alexander Fury called the collection “a brave and bold reset for the brand”.
Highlights of De Sarno’s tenure included the house’s emotive We Will Always Have London campaign, shot by legendary photographer Nan Goldin, a cruise show held at London’s Tate Modern (followed by an epic afterparty), and a recent Valentine’s Day campaign featuring real-life couples, lensed by Tina Barney. Not to mention, the story that he creative directed for our Autumn/Winter 2024 issue, which was photographed by David Sims and styled by Alastair McKimm.
“Any important project relies on the passion, the intelligence and heart of extraordinary people,” wrote De Sarno himself. “To them I say: always look out for your joy. It is the true measure of whether you are true to yourself, whatever the opportunity, whatever the challenge. A thank you would not be enough maybe. But today my joy is for you.”
Gucci’s upcoming Autumn/Winter 2025 fashion show (debuting on February 25 in Milan) will be “presented by the Gucci design office”. The new artistic director of the house is yet to be announced.
