Gucci Ends Collaboration with Sabato De Sarno Amid Industry Shifts

Gucci has officially announced the end of its partnership with Sabato De Sarno, marking another significant leadership change within Europe’s major fashion houses. As creative directors continue to come and go in rapid succession, the latest departure highlights the ongoing evolution and restructuring in the luxury fashion sector.

According to a statement from Kering, Gucci’s parent company, De Sarno has already presented his final collection. The upcoming Fall/Winter 2025 fashion show, scheduled to take place on February 25 in Milan, will be handled by Gucci’s design office. This approach is similar to how Chanel prepared its Spring/Summer 2025 collection using its in-house team while the creative director position remained vacant.

In a message reflecting on De Sarno’s time with the brand, Stefano Cantino, CEO of Gucci, acknowledged his contributions, stating, “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.” The statement underlines the appreciation for De Sarno’s ability to balance the brand’s traditional values while navigating the modern fashion landscape.

Francesca Bellettini, Deputy CEO of Kering, also expressed her thanks, noting, “I sincerely thank Sabato for his loyalty and professionalism. I am proud of the work that has been done to further strengthen Gucci’s fundamentals. Stefano and the new Artistic Direction will continue to build on this and to guide Gucci towards renewed fashion leadership and sustainable growth.” Bellettini’s remarks indicate that Gucci is focused on maintaining its market position while transitioning to new creative leadership.

The company confirmed that it will reveal its new artistic direction “in due time,” leaving the fashion world to speculate about the brand’s future direction and potential candidates for the role. This shift comes as Gucci, often regarded as the crown jewel of Kering, seeks to balance creative innovation with its established luxury identity.

De Sarno’s exit mirrors a broader pattern across the industry, where top fashion houses are undergoing significant leadership changes. Just recently, Kim Jones announced his departure from Dior Homme, following a successful run. Meanwhile, Fendi is still searching for a successor after Jones stepped down as its Artistic Director in October following four years in the role.

As the luxury fashion landscape adjusts to these changes, the question of whether established brands can maintain their creative legacy while embracing new visions remains prominent. Gucci, like its counterparts, faces the challenge of preserving its iconic status while evolving under new leadership.