Introduction
Sabato De Sarno is an Italian designer born in Cicciano in 1983. He worked at Prada and Dolce & Gabbana before joining Valentino, where he spent more than a decade and became fashion director for men’s and women’s collections under Pierpaolo Piccioli.
Gucci appointed De Sarno creative director in January 2023. His September debut, Ancora, introduced Rosso Ancora and a reduced wardrobe of short hemlines, hooded sweatshirts, leather, tailoring and platform loafers. He directed menswear, womenswear, accessories and image until Gucci ended the collaboration on 5 February 2025; the subsequent Autumn/Winter 2025 and Cruise 2026 collections were credited to the design office.
Design ethos
De Sarno’s Gucci work centred on editing: uncluttered silhouettes, concentrated colour and the tactile pull of leather, wool, silk and patent finish. Repetition across men’s and women’s collections gave the house a controlled wardrobe with little of the preceding density of quotation.
The method was not strict minimalism. Crystal fringe, high-shine surfaces and abbreviated proportions retained a direct form of glamour, while Rosso Ancora linked collection design, stores, beauty and campaign image. The short tenure is best understood through this attempt to make product and colour carry the house identity.
Disclaimer
Career history
2025
Gucci ended its collaboration with Sabato De Sarno on 5 February 2025. The design office completed the Autumn/Winter 2025 and Cruise 2026 collections while the house prepared its next artistic direction.
2023
Gucci appointed Sabato De Sarno creative director on 28 January 2023. His remit covered menswear, womenswear, leather goods, accessories and image; the Ancora debut followed in September, and the house ended the collaboration on 5 February 2025.
You’re in
When the archive opens, you’ll be among the first to know.
That’s all.
