Gucci’s parent company, Kering, and the brand’s leadership had been searching for a designer with a strong, opinionated vision following the sudden departure of Sabato De Sarno
Demna, the current artistic director of Balenciaga, is set to take over the creative direction at Gucci in July, marking a significant shift in the Italian fashion house’s leadership. After a decade leading Balenciaga, Demna will oversee Gucci’s menswear, womenswear, and accessories, bringing his distinctive vision to the luxury brand.
In a statement, Demna expressed his excitement about the new role: “I am truly excited to join the Gucci family. It is an honour to contribute to a house that I deeply respect and have long admired. I look forward to writing a new chapter of Gucci’s amazing story with Stefano and the whole team.”
Gucci’s parent company, Kering, and the brand’s leadership had been searching for a designer with a strong, opinionated vision following the sudden departure of Sabato De Sarno. Stefano Cantino, Gucci’s CEO, explained that the brand was looking for someone who could restore its authority in fashion, saying, “Gucci stands for fashion authority. This is what we want to bring back. We were looking for a strong and opinionated designer. Demna is one of the few.”
Cantino also highlighted Demna’s unique blend of design skills and deep understanding of contemporary culture, particularly in terms of what luxury means today and his connection to younger generations.
Kering praised Demna for redefining modern luxury during his tenure at Balenciaga, noting his global recognition and industry influence. Francesca Bellettini, Kering’s deputy CEO, further emphasized Demna’s credentials, stating, “Demna’s profound understanding of contemporary culture, coupled with his extensive experience in conceiving visionary projects, has established him as one of the most influential and accomplished creatives of his generation.”
As Demna steps into his new role at Gucci, speculation surrounds when he will unveil his first collection for the brand. A successor at Balenciaga has yet to be named, leaving the fashion world eagerly awaiting further developments.
