Gucci confirmed on Thursday morning that it is parting ways with creative director Sabato De Sarno, signaling yet another major shake-up in Europe’s luxury scene. The house will stage its Fall show in Milan on February 25 under the guidance of Gucci’s design office, and a fresh creative direction is expected to be revealed soon.
“I would like to express my deep gratitude to Sabato for his passion and dedication to Gucci. I sincerely appreciate how he honored Gucci’s craftsmanship and heritage with such commitment,” said Stefano Cantino, Gucci’s chief executive officer. In a parallel statement, Francesca Bellettini, Kering deputy CEO in charge of brand development, added: “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 toward renewed fashion leadership and sustainable growth.”
De Sarno’s departure arrives on the heels of big-name creative switches across the industry, just days after Kim Jones announced his exit at Dior Homme. Fashion insiders are still on alert for who will succeed Jones, given that his roles at other heritage labels remain in flux. De Sarno was slated to present Gucci’s Cruise 2026 offering in Florence on May 15, a nod to the brand’s roots in the city where Guccio Gucci opened shop in 1921. While plans have clearly shifted, Gucci’s leadership maintains its push toward evolving the brand with a renewed focus on handbag introductions, core wardrobe pieces, and a shorter turnaround from runway to store.
Recent changes have also extended to the business side. Over the summer, Gucci named Jean-François Palus interim CEO, a move seen as part of Kering’s broader effort to sharpen its key labels. Despite these transitions, executives remain intent on strengthening the house’s position through thoughtful design and a more agile release calendar—an outlook that was already central to De Sarno’s tenure.
