Demna Appointed Artistic Director of Gucci: 'A New Chapter'

Demna has been appointed to serve as Gucci’s new Artistic Director, the Italian fashion house announced Thursday.

In a statement, François-Henri Pinault, CEO of Gucci owner Kering, praised the Balenciaga creative director and Vetements co-founder’s “tremendous” contributions to fashion.

“His creative power is exactly what Gucci needs,” Pinault said. “As I thank him for everything he has accomplished over the past 10 years, I look forward to seeing him shape Gucci’s new artistic direction.”

Per Kering’s announcement, Demna will formally begin work in his new role starting this July.

“I am truly excited to join the Gucci family,” Demna, whose headlines-grabbing work with Balenciaga over the past decade included breakout moments with Ye and Kim Kardashian, said of his appointment on Thursday. “It is an honor to contribute to a House that I deeply respect and have long admired. I look forward to writing together with [Gucci CEO Stefano Cantino] and the whole team a new chapter of Gucci’s amazing story.”

Balenciaga, like Gucci, falls under the larger Kering umbrella. Demna was appointed Balenciaga’s Artistic Director in late 2015, kicking off an extended period of high visibility and largely unparalleled pop culture intersection for the Spanish house.

Demna is preceded in his newly announced Gucci role by Sabato De Sarno, who took over from Alessandro Michele in 2023. De Sarno’s exit was announced in February, with Cantino saying at the time, “I would like to express my deep gratitude to Sabato for his passion and dedication to Gucci. I sincerely appreciate how he honored Gucci’s craftsmanship and heritage with such commitment.” 

The Gucci news comes after Demna was honored by the French Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, with the Chevalier de L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres distinction in January.