Demna Gvasalia takes over the Creative Direction from Gucci.
The previous Balenciaga creative director has been appointed the new artistic director of the Italian luxury house, said Gucci mother-corporation Kering on Thursday. He will take up his new office in early July.
The group’s decision to turn to Gvasalia was based on his “profound understanding of contemporary culture, paired with his extensive experience in the conception of visionary projects,” said Francesca Bellettini, deputy CEO von Kering.
In addition, she added that this gift made the designer “one of the most influential and versatile creatives of his generation”. Therefore, Bellettini believes that his appointment is “the perfect catalyst to rekindle Guccis creative energy”.
Gvasalia has been the artistic director of Balenciaga, another brand owned by Kering since 2015. Bellettini shared reporters: Inside at the Kering headquarters, including WWD, with the fact that the Georgian designer will end his work at the Spanish luxury house with a haute couture show on July 6th and later switch to Gucci in the same month.
Gvasalia ended at Balenciaga in July
Gvasalia will succeed Sabato de Sarno, who left Gucci again after his appointment in 2023. During this time, his collections came under criticism that Kering continued to struggle with strong drops in sales, which triggered the beginning of a turnaround plan, a comprehensive restructuring and a flood of rumors about who would be suitable to take over the creative management.
Kering seems to have found his answer with Gvasalia. The CEO and chairman of the group, François-Henri Pinault, said: “Contribution to the industry, Balenciaga and the success of the group was enormous. His creative force is exactly what Gucci needs. I thank him for everything he has achieved in the past 10 years and look forward to seeing Gucci’s new artistic direction. ”
In his own explanation, Gvasalia said: “I am very happy to join the Gucci family. It is an honor to contribute to a house that I deeply respect and admire for a long time. I look forward to writing a new chapter in the great story of Gucci together with Stefano and the entire team. ”