Gucci's Sabato De Sarno exits the brand over sales slump

Sabato De Sarno is stepping down as Gucci’s creative director just two years after taking the helm, the Italian fashion house announced Thursday. His departure comes just days before Kering, Gucci’s parent company, is set to release its 2024 annual financial results.

In light of this shake-up, Gucci’s upcoming runway show on 25 February will be designed by its in-house design studio.

De Sarno, previously Valentino’s design director under Pierpaolo Piccioli, was appointed in 2023 to steer Gucci toward a more refined and universally appealing aesthetic. His approach marked a departure from the maximalist, nostalgia-driven designs of his predecessor, Alessandro Michele, whose tenure saw record-breaking sales before momentum slowed during the pandemic.

Despite De Sarno’s efforts to inject sharp tailoring and youthful styling into Gucci’s identity, the brand struggled to regain its former dominance. Sales slumped, with a reported 26 percent decline in the first nine months of 2024. Kering is set to disclose its full-year earnings on 11 February.