Sabato De Sarno Bids Farewell to Gucci

Sabato De Sarno Bids Farewell to Gucci After Less Than Two Years

Sabato De Sarno, who has served as Gucci’s creative director since 2023, has officially announced his departure from the Florentine fashion house. His decision comes less than two years after taking the helm, during which he sought to redefine the brand’s vision.

Before joining Gucci, De Sarno built an impressive career at some of the industry’s most prestigious maisons. He began his journey at Prada in 2005, moved on to Dolce & Gabbana, and later joined Valentino in 2009, where he oversaw both men’s and women’s collections.

In January 2023, De Sarno was appointed creative director of Gucci, succeeding Alessandro Michele. His highly anticipated debut took place during Milan Fashion Week in September 2023, where he unveiled the Spring/Summer 2024 collection. One of the standout elements of his vision was the introduction of “Rosso Ancora,” a bold and vibrant red hue inspired by the elevator interiors of London’s iconic Savoy Hotel.

De Sarno’s Legacy at Gucci

During his brief tenure, De Sarno aimed to bring a more understated and refined aesthetic to Gucci. However, his approach faced commercial challenges, with the brand reporting a 25% drop in sales during the third quarter, highlighting the struggle to balance innovation with Gucci’s historically eclectic and dynamic identity.

His final collection, originally set to be unveiled at Milan Fashion Week in February 2025, will instead be completed by Gucci’s in-house design team.

De Sarno’s departure marks the end of a short yet pivotal chapter for the brand, paving the way for a new creative direction. Gucci’s parent company, Kering, has stated that his successor will be announced “in due course.”