De Sarno’s appointment was “a key ingredient in management’s strategy to push Gucci towards a more mainstream position. His departure suggests that consumers have not bought in to this ‘timeless Gucci’ theme, despite management’s lowered expectations for 4Q24.”

Gucci announced on Thursday that its creative director of under two years, Sabato De Sarno, has left the position just two and a half weeks before the next runway show, and that the new collection would be created by the design team.

Instead, De Sarno is making an early exit. On Thursday, Gucci announced De Sarno’s departure, the latest high-profile designer shakeup amidst a wave of creative change that is steadily reshaping the fashion industry.