It was in November 2022 that news broke out that sent shockwaves across the fashion industry: Alessandro Michele was departing Gucci. In his wake, the house welcomed a new era with Sabato De Sarno at the helm, unveiling his debut collection–aptly titled ‘Ancora,’ which translates to “again”– in September 2023.
Fashion insiders braced for change as the house shifted gears from Michele’s riotous maximalism to De Sarno’s attempt at a more wearable, commercially savvy Gucci. For two seasons, De Sarno was the man tasked with steering Gucci away from the maximalist mosaic that had defined Michele’s reign, opting instead for a leaner, more wearable vision. And, that the delivered.
Yet, in what can only be described as the industry’s own version of musical chairs, Sabato’s tenure has come to an abrupt close after just a couple of seasons at the helm. This unexpected exit has left the fashion community buzzing with questions: Was his departure a sudden pivot, or did whispers of behind-the-scenes drama finally reach a crescendo? Beyond the obvious questions of who will pick up the mantle, one wonders: what does this signal for Gucci’s overall creative strategy? Will the next director lean into the wild, unrestrained energy of Michele’s era, or will they carve out an entirely new aesthetic narrative? The suddenness of this departure also invites speculation on how it will affect the much-anticipated gender-unified show format recently announced under his direction.
As Gucci prepares for its upcoming Milan show, now set to be helmed by the in-house team, the vacant creative hot seat has industry insiders buzzing with speculation. As rumors swirl about secretive discussions behind Gucci’s glitzy facade, insiders (including us) are left pondering why the creative director’s reign was so fleeting. While De Sarno’s exit might leave a few questions dangling in the air, it also sets the stage for yet another daring chapter of the brand’s legacy.
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