Sabato De Sarno is leaving his role as Gucci creative director effective immediately, according to a Thursday announcement from parent company Kering.
“Gucci today announces the end of its collaboration with Creative Director Sabato De Sarno,” the brand said in the release. “The fall-winter ’25 fashion show in Milan on February 25 will be presented by the Gucci design office.”
De Sarno was hired in January 2023, and presented his first runway collection during Milan Women’s Fashion Week in September 2023. The designer has not announced his next move.
Meanwhile, Kering said the “new Artistic Direction will be announced in due time.”
In the release, Gucci CEO Stefano Cantino thanked De Sarno for his work and said he appreciated the way De Sarno was able to honor Gucci’s heritage.
Francesca Bellettini, Kering’s deputy CEO in charge of brand development, also expressed gratitude.
“I sincerely thank Sabato for his loyalty and professionalism,” Bellettini said in the release. “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.”
In its third quarter earnings, Kering posted a 26% year-over-year revenue decline at Gucci, and projected a company-wide operating income drop of more than 47% in fiscal 2024. Total revenue for the quarter was down 15% to 3.8 billion euros, or about $3.9 billion.
De Sarno joins a group of several designers who have vacated their positions recently, including Kim Jones, Hedi Slimane, John Galliano and Pierpaolo Piccioli.
