Gucci and parent company Kering confirmed to WWD that they have named Alessandro Michele as their new creative director, succeeding Frida Giannini. Michele will debut his first collection in Milan on February 25th for the women's fall/winter 2015/16 season.
"After a considered and thorough selection process, Alessandro Michele has been chosen to assume the role as Gucci creative director, based upon the contemporary vision he has articulated for the brand that he will now bring to life," said Marco Bizzarri, president and chief executive officer of Gucci. "Alessandro and I are fully aligned on this new contemporary vision needed by the brand and we will be continuously inspired by that new identity in our respective roles and duties."
The rumor mill has been in full swing ever since Frida Giannini announced her departure from the Italian luxury brand in December. Names included Richard Tisci, Hedi Slimane, Joseph Altuzarra and even Tom Ford. But Kering has been known to nuture talent and promote from within, making Michele the front runner, especially when he made an appearance on the runway surrounded by Gucci creative staff on January 9th.
Bizzarri also said that Michele's "talent and his knowledge of the company and the design teams in place will for sure allow him to move quickly and seamlessly in implementing his new creative direction for the collections and the brand."
François-Henri Pinault, chairman and ceo of Kering, chimed in saying, "Throughout its history, Gucci has always created attention and excitement through its innovative and distinctive products and collections as it has become Italy's most renowned fashion house and one of the most iconic, and prominentluxury brands in the world. Alessandro Michele has both the qualities and the vision necessary to bring a new contemporary perspective to Gucci and lead the brand into an exciting new creative chapter of its history." Giannini and di Marco revealed in December that they would step down from their roles. The designer, who'd spent nearly a decade at Gucci, was set to step down following the women's show in February.
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