Gucci Under Sabato de Sarno
In 1983, Sabato De Sarno was born in Cicciano, an ancient municipality north of Naples. He immediately demonstrated a strong interest in fashion.
A work transfer for his father, bringing the family to Como, allowed the young De Sarno to get closer to Milan, the fashion capital. There, he began his initial foray into the fashion world. He attended the Carlo Secoli Fashion Institute and caught the attention of Prada during the presentation of end-of-year works. Joining the Milanese Maison in 2005, he worked behind the scenes for major brands, contributing to Dolce&Gabbana knitwear for a few seasons, before moving to Valentino in 2009. At Valentino, De Sarno met Pierpaolo Piccioli, a revolutionary figure in fashion. Piccioli, Valentino's creative director, mentored De Sarno, who soon became his right-hand man for 13 years, rising through the ranks. Under Piccioli's guidance, De Sarno honed his skills, culminating in his appointment as the creative director of Gucci.
De Sarno sits with Remo Macco, a Gucci veteran who was named the studio design director last year, during a fitting. Photo: Federico Ciamei
The fashion world was stunned on November 23, 2022, by the departure of Alessandro Michele from Gucci. Michele had redefined the Maison's stylistic codes since 2015, making it widely appealing. His exit marked the end of an era. Michele's designs had captivated Millennials and Gen Z, making each fashion show a spectacle. Announcing his departure on social media, he reflected on his extraordinary journey with the brand. “I am deeply honored to take on the role of creative director of Gucci,” commented De Sarno. "I am proud to join a maison with a rich history and heritage, one that aligns with my values. I am excited to contribute my creative vision to the brand." For the September 22, 2023, show during Milan Fashion Week, De Sarno and casting director Piergiorgio Del Moro sought new faces. De Sarno expressed his desire for unknown models, emphasizing the importance of the aesthetic narrative over celebrity presence. Gucci, to him, is a platform for voicing ideas, particularly about nurturing young talent. Coinciding with his catwalk debut, Gucci sponsored an exhibition of four young Milanese artists near the Brera Academy. This event, open to the public, was accompanied by a publication, "Gucci Prospettive N.1, Milano Ancora," which De Sarno describes as a "love letter" to Milan.
