Advertisement
Advertisement
Outgoing Gucci power couple Patrizio Di Marco (left), the fashion house's president and chief executive officer, and creative director Frida Giannini.

Gucci may seek a different look under new CEO Marco Bizzarri

After recent shaky financial results, and the weakest performance in years last quarter, the Italian house of Gucci is set for a spring clean. Chief executive officer Patrizio Di Marco and creative director Frida Giannini, who are partners, are both leaving the fashion label.

Di Marco's CEO position will be filled by owner Kering's current head of luxury division, Marco Bizzarri, who has previously held positions at Bottega Veneta and Stella McCartney. In the meantime, rumours will swirl about who could replace Giannini - and no doubt the pressure is on to find a big-name, heavyweight designer who can help Gucci out of its current lull.

Despite some strong ready-to-wear collections and a popular accessories line, Giannini never fully captured the power and sex appeal that Tom Ford made so famous at Gucci in his time.The brand is likely to be looking for someone who can offer a strong statement that is relevant in fashion today. Some analysts have said the recent movement away from logos and bling has affected the success of Gucci's traditionally high-octane appeal, so it could be the brand will look for a more pared-down designer.

For Kering, the luxury group headed by billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault, Gucci has been the crown jewel in its portfolio since Pinault bought a large stake in the brand at the behest of Ford, who revived it in the late 1990s.

The story of the brand, founded in 1921 by Guccio Gucci, has not been without drama since its revival. In 2004, Ford (who became creative director in 1994) and the then CEO, Domenico de Sole, famously left the brand after conflicts about artistic control with the owner group (Kering, then named PPR). Since the Gucci heydays, however, Kering has hedged its bets by establishing a more diverse portfolio. It has bought several powerhouse labels, including Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Saint Laurent Paris and Boucheron, as well as younger, emerging labels like Christopher Kane. 

Post