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After sitting at the helm of Gucci for seven years, creative director Alessandro Michele is set to exit the Italian fashion house. Women’s Wear Daily reported on rumours this week citing unnamed sources before Kering, the parent company of Gucci, confirmed the news today.
Michele was plucked from obscurity, the accessories department under former creative director Frida Giannini, and appointed the prestigious role in 2015. The Italian designer was hired by CEO Marco Bizzarri to revive the creative vision and sales, revealing his debut collection for Fall 2015. He presented his final collection at Milan Fashion Week in September where he spectacularly sent 68 identical twins down the runway for Spring/Summer 2023.
“I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet Alessandro at the end of 2014, since then we have had the pleasure to work closely together as Gucci has charted its successful path over these last eight years,” Bizzarri said in an official statement. “I would like to thank him for his 20 years of commitment to Gucci and for his vision, devotion, and unconditional love for this unique House during his tenure as Creative Director.”
According to WWD, Michele was asked by Kering execs to steer the creative flair of Gucci in a new direction which he apparently failed to do so. It is not known who will take the helm in his place.
The luxury fashion industry has been rocked by a number of significant changes this year. The exit of Riccardo Tisci from Burberry; Matthieu Blazy’s appointment at Bottega Veneta; and this week, news that Raf Simons is closing his namesake label. No doubt it arrives as fashion finds its feet in a post-pandemic era.
Stay tuned for further developments
