Demna Leaves Balenciaga to be Gucci's New Artistic Director
In an unexpected Kering Group shake-up, Demna has been appointed as the new artistic director of Gucci.
The speculation is over. After months of anticipation, Gucci has finally announced its next creative director: Demna. The Georgian designer steps into the role following Sabato De Sarno’s two-year tenure, with the Italian house having remained without a creative lead since September 2024.
Demna’s arrival marks the end of an era at Balenciaga, where he spent nearly a decade redefining the codes of luxury. Since taking the helm in 2015, he has fused streetwear with subversive beauty, pop culture with political commentary—turning the Parisian maison into a global phenomenon. Now, his boundary-pushing vision finds a new canvas in Gucci.
Stefano Cantino, CEO of Gucci, said: “I have always admired Demna's creative approach, that is both unique and powerful. His ability to honor the iconic legacy of a brand while embracing a modern sensibility is extraordinary. With Gucci’s strengthened foundations as a springboard, Demna will lead the House towards renewed fashion authority and enduring cultural relevance.”
So, what can we expect from Gucci in the coming season? A daring, deconstructed take on the house’s storied aesthetic—one that may nod to the eclectic flamboyance of Alessandro Michele’s reign but through Demna’s own lens of irony and provocation.
Demna says, “I am truly excited to join the Gucci family. It is an honor to contribute to a House that I deeply respect and have long admired. I look forward to writing together with Stefano and the whole team a new chapter of Gucci's amazing story.”
His first collection is expected to be the coming Spring/Summer 2026 show this September at Milan Fashio Week, following the recent Fall/Winter 2025 show last month — a collaborative effort by the brand’s in-house design team. With Demna now at the helm, a bold new chapter begins.
