Go on. creative director of Gucci Alessandro Michele leaves the Italian fashion house.
The luxury label announced its departure in a press release on Wednesday November 23, stating that the designer is “resigning”.
president Marco Bizarre and CEO of Kering Francois Henri Pinault applauded Michele, 49, in the memo. “I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to meet Alessandro at the end of 2014. Since then we have had the pleasure of working closely together as Gucci has embarked on its successful journey over the past eight years,” said Bizarri. He added: “I would like to thank him for his 20-year commitment to Gucci and for his vision, dedication and unconditional love for this unique house during his tenure as creative director.”
Pinault expressed a similar sentiment, saying: “The path that Gucci and Alessandro have traveled together over the past few years is unique and will remain a defining moment in the history of the house. I am grateful to Alessandro for bringing so much of himself to this adventure. His passion, imagination, ingenuity and culture put Gucci front and center where his place is. I wish him a great next chapter in his creative journey.”
For his part, Michele expressed his appreciation for his time at the company. “There are times when we part ways because each of us has different perspectives,” he began. “Today ends for me an extraordinary journey of more than twenty years in a company to which I have tirelessly devoted all my love and creative passion. During that long period, Gucci was my home, my adoptive family.”
The creative went on to praise his Gucci family. “To this extended family, to all the people who have taken care of them and supported them, I send my sincerest thanks, my biggest and warmest hugs,” said Michele. “Together with them I wished, dreamed, imagined. Without them, none of what I have built would have been possible. My sincerest wish goes out to you: may you continue to cultivate your dreams, the subtle and intangible matter that makes life worth living. May you continue to nourish yourself with poetic and inclusive imagery and stay true to your values. May you always live according to your passions, driven by the winds of freedom.”
Michele joined Gucci in 2002 as an accessories designer before being appointed creative director in January 2015. During his time at the brand, Michele reinvented Gucci, giving the label a livelier and more vibrant aesthetic – particularly in the men’s department. He introduced colour, pattern and vibrant silhouettes.
Among his most outstanding creations are the models with severed heads that walked the runway in Fall 2018. Jared Leto rocked the accessory, which looked just like the actor, at the 2019 Met Gala.
Michele styled Leto, 50, and Harry Styles, challenging gender norms. He was the mastermind behind the 28-year-old “Watermelon Sugar” singer’s black, sheer dress and pearls at the 2019 Met Gala.
Most recently, the artist cast 68 pairs of twins to strut the runway during Milan Fashion Week Spring 2023. The siblings wore identical clothing designed to celebrate twins and his decision to reuse archived Gucci pieces.
A replacement for Michele has not yet been announced.