Gucci announces departure of creative director weeks before next Milan runway show

Gucci announced the sudden departure of creative director Sabato De Sarno just over two weeks before its runway show at Milan Fashion Week. De Sarno, who had been with the fashion house for less than two years, was known for emphasizing more essential silhouettes and wardrobe basics. Despite his efforts, Gucci experienced disappointing sales, with a significant 26% drop in revenue. The upcoming collection will be designed by the team, and a new creative director will be announced later.
This marks another instance of a dramatic late-season creative shift for Gucci, reminiscent of the unexpected departure of Frida Giannini in 2015. De Sarno joined Gucci from Valentino, following the departure of Alessandro Michele, whose eclectic and gender-fluid designs had previously boosted the brand's sales. The fashion industry is witnessing a series of significant creative changes, including Kim Jones leaving Dior's menswear. The developments at Gucci highlight ongoing challenges and shifts within the luxury fashion sector as companies strive to maintain relevance and profitability.
RATING
The news story provides a comprehensive and accurate account of Sabato De Sarno's departure from Gucci, supported by credible sources and detailed financial information. The article is timely and relevant, particularly for readers interested in the fashion industry. While it maintains a neutral tone and clear structure, it could benefit from a wider range of perspectives and greater transparency in sourcing financial data. The story's engagement and impact are primarily confined to industry stakeholders, with limited broader societal implications. Overall, the article is a well-reported piece that effectively communicates a significant development in the fashion world, though its appeal may be limited to those already interested in luxury brand dynamics.
RATING DETAILS
The news story demonstrates a high level of factual accuracy. Each of the main claims, such as Sabato De Sarno's departure from Gucci, the timing of his exit, and the details surrounding Gucci's upcoming runway show, are well-supported by multiple sources. The article accurately reports on De Sarno's tenure and the financial challenges Gucci is facing, with specific figures for Kering's earnings and Gucci's revenue declines. These details are consistent with publicly available financial reports, which adds to the story's credibility. However, the article could improve by providing more direct citations or references to the sources of these financial figures to further enhance verifiability.
The article presents a balanced view of the situation by including statements from multiple stakeholders, such as Gucci's CEO and Kering's deputy CEO. These perspectives offer insight into the company's strategic direction and the impact of De Sarno's departure. However, the article could benefit from additional viewpoints, such as comments from fashion industry analysts or employees within Gucci, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the implications of this leadership change. While the piece does not appear to favor any particular perspective, the inclusion of more diverse voices would enrich the narrative.
The article is well-structured and uses clear, concise language to convey the main points. The chronological presentation of events, from De Sarno's appointment to his departure, aids in reader comprehension. The narrative is logically organized, with each paragraph building on the previous one to provide a coherent story. However, the inclusion of industry jargon, such as 'runway show' and 'creative director,' might require additional explanation for readers unfamiliar with the fashion industry. Overall, the article maintains a neutral tone and is easy to understand.
The article references credible sources, including official statements from Gucci and Kering executives, which lends authority to the reporting. The use of direct quotes from these high-ranking officials supports the reliability of the information presented. Nonetheless, the article would benefit from a broader range of sources, such as fashion industry experts or market analysts, to provide additional context and depth. The reliance on company statements, while authoritative, may limit the scope of the analysis to the company's perspective.
The article is transparent in its reporting, as it clearly attributes statements to specific individuals and outlines the context of De Sarno's departure. However, it lacks explicit disclosure of the sources for some of the financial figures and historical references. Greater transparency regarding the methodology for obtaining these figures and any potential conflicts of interest would enhance the article's credibility. While the piece does not appear to have any undisclosed biases, more explicit transparency in sourcing would strengthen its overall reliability.
Sources
- https://financialpost.com/pmn/gucci-announces-departure-of-creative-director-de-sarno-just-weeks-before-next-milan-runway-show
- https://www.chron.com/entertainment/article/gucci-announces-departure-of-creative-director-de-20150742.php
- https://www.elle.com/uk/fashion/a63684366/sabato-de-sarno-exits-gucci/
- https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/gucci-announces-departure-creative-director-de-sarno-weeks-118520095
- https://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2025/02/06/sabato-de-sarno/
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