Who Is Gucci's New Creative Director, Sabato De Sarno?

After months of speculation, Gucci has finally unveiled its new creative director succeeding Alessandro Michele.

The fashion house and Kering Group made the official announcement that Sabato De Sarno will helm the Italian luxury brand, and that he will show his first Gucci collection during the Spring/Summer 2024 collection at Milan Fashion Week this coming September.

Michele unexpectedly departed the label in November 2022 after nearly eight years, having built noteworthy moments in the history of the Gucci brand. Since then, the house showed its first runway collection without a creative director at Milan Fashion Week Men's with another show expected in February for the Fall/Winter 2023 ready-to-wear season.

As stated in an official press release, De Sarno will responsible for the creative direction of Gucci's women’s, men’s, leather goods, accessories and lifestyle collections. The brand's President and CEO Marco Bizzarri said, "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. Having worked with a number of Italy’s most renowned luxury fashion houses, he brings with him a vast and relevant experience. I am certain that through Sabato’s deep understanding and appreciation for Gucci’s unique legacy, he will lead our creative teams with a distinctive vision that will help write this exciting next chapter, reinforcing the House’s fashion authority while capitalizing on its rich heritage."

De Sabato added, "I am deeply honored to take on the role as Creative Director of Gucci. I am proud to join a House with such an extraordinary history and heritage, that over the years has been able to welcome and cherish values I believe in. I am touched and excited to contribute my creative vision for the brand."

Prior to his role at Gucci, De Sarno spent over 13 years at Valentino, working with Pierpaolo Piccioli. Before that, he was at Dolce & Gabbana and Prada.

Stay tuned for De Sarno's first Gucci collection set to debut in September.