Fast Retailing appoints Francesco Risso as creative director of GU

Japanese clothing group Fast Retailing Group has announced the appointment of Francesco Risso as creative director of its Marle GU.

In his new role, Risso will define GU’s creative direction during the label’s next phase of growth, the parent company said in a press release on Thursday. His debut collection for the brand is scheduled for fall/winter 2026.

In addition to his appointment at GU, Risso will also develop a new collaboration line with sister brand Uniqlo. This is scheduled to come onto the market in 2026. He previously worked with the Japanese retail chain for the “Uniqlo x Marni” collection in 2022. According to the group, further details on both initiatives will be announced at a later date.

Francesco Risso was creative director of the Italian fashion house Marni from 2016 to 2025. There he shaped the brand’s distinctive creative direction. The Italian designer previously spent a decade at Prada.

Risso studied fashion in Florence, New York and London. In addition to his career as a designer, he works as a guest lecturer at leading art and design universities around the world.

GU made its international flagship debut in the United States in September 2024. The brand opened a store in New York’s SoHo district while also launching its first national online platform. According to Fast Retailing, this move followed strong customer response to a pop-up concept operating in the city from October 2022. This paved the way for wider adoption in the US. In the 2025 financial year, the company wants to further accelerate GU’s global expansion and strengthen its position as an international brand.