Alessandro Michele is Exiting Gucci

Words Bethany Berkeley

In what is a major shift for the brand, Gucci confirms that Alessandro Michele is stepping down as Creative Director. This comes after notable tensions between the designer and Kering’s top management ensued. As sources told Women’s Wear Daily that Michele “was asked to initiate a strong design shift,” to rejuvenate the brand and strengthen Gucci, but this requirement may not have been met. Kering confirms the speculations that Alessandro Michele is indeed to leave the the brand.

Michele, originally an accessories designer became a renowned designer just two days after his first bow at the end of Gucci’s men’s fall 2015 show. Taking the helm of Gucci’s creative engine, he quickly rose to critical acclaim, reviving the brands popularity and becoming well known for his flamboyant take on vintage looks and gender-fluid designs. Michele’s SS23 runway show was one of the standouts shows of the season, fusing his androgynous designs with classic tailoring which surprised the audience as the partition lifted to reveal real-life twins.

This news may not come as a surprise to some, as Kering have recently been making changes to their creative leadership. Including removing Daniel Lee as Creative Director of Bottega Veneta and installing Matthieu Blazy in his stead, while Lee has now been appointed the creative director at Burberry. It seems CEO François-Henri Pinault has been looking to do the same at Gucci.

It is no doubt that this move will bring a change of pace and possibly a refreshing air to the brand that could mark a critical turning point for Gucci. Those that have been waiting for the confirmation to come from the brand itself, are now left with an intrinsic awareness of the fact that the news comes just before the menswear fashion season in January, which Gucci was meant to make it’s on-schedule comeback.