Fresh Fashion

As the new year dawns with its first blush, we profile luxury fashion's pathfinders and linchpins who have hit the ground running.

- Indran P

The last two years have been a period of transition and readjustment for the ever-buzzing world of fashion. The birth of the metaverse, the heightened pressures of virality, the horizon-expanding breakthroughs in innovation as well as the onset of noteworthy trends have all impacted the landscape indelibly. But those variables would be inconsequential if they were not tackled by capable leadership. Here, we coronate the new creative and commercial decision-makers in luxury fashion.

SABATO DE SARNO 
Creative director, Gucci

A simple unvarnished message heralding a new beginning: “I’m proud, honoured, touched and excited. #Gucci.” That was how Sabato De Sarno announced in May 2023 that he was replacing Alessandro Michelle, whose sudden departure from his seven-year reign there is still no official world on. Gucci, however, does not seem to be the poorer for it.

With tenures in Italy’s most renowned luxury fashion houses, including, Dolce&Gabbana, Prada and Valentino, De Sarno brings with him a wealth of experience and pedigree as the creative steward of one of fashion’s most esteemed north stars. Known for his contemporary update of Valentino’s ready-to-wear concerns, he debuted for Gucci at Milan Fashion Week last September to rave reviews of his playful approach to minimalism. Many pundits have hailed that show as the birth of the new Gucci look.

ANDREA GUERRA
CEO, Prada