In a dramatic shift that indicates a new era for the luxury fashion house, Gucci has announced Alessio Vannetti as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer, effective immediately.
Vannetti, who previously served as Gucci's head of global communications from 2015 to 2019, returns to the company after a three-year term at Valentino. He succeeds Susan Chokachi, who has stepped down after a remarkable 25-year tenure.
Vannetti's appointment follows a wave of leadership changes, including the departure of Gucci CEO Marco Bizzarri earlier this month. He will report to Jean-François Palus, Kering Group’s Managing Director, who is serving as interim CEO.
As Chief Brand Officer, Vannetti will oversee all facets of branding, client engagement, image direction, marketing, communications, and metaverse strategies. With prior experience at prestigious brands like Prada and Zegna, Vannetti is well-positioned to take on these diverse responsibilities.
Gucci is currently re-evaluating its global standing and creative direction, particularly following the exit of creative dynamo Alessandro Michele, who successfully redefined Gucci’s image and substantially increased its revenue.
Sabato de Sarno, a Naples-born designer, has been appointed as the new Creative Director. Despite limited experience in independently overseeing collections, De Sarno brings fresh energy from his time at Valentino, Dolce and Gabbana, and Prada.
With Gucci contributing to over half of Kering Group's total revenue last year, the stakes are high for this new leadership team. De Sarno is set to unveil his first collection at the Milan Fashion Week this month, which will offer further insights into the brand's future direction.
Gucci's leadership overhaul signifies a pivotal moment in the brand's history, and the fashion world will be watching keenly to see how Vannetti and De Sarno steer the brand in the days to come.
