With the global economy slowing down, the fashion industry has never been more volatile—and designers have never been more vulnerable. In the past year, the fashion news cycle has seen plenty of creative directors come and go between coveted top spots at the helm of luxury brands. Veteran figures like Hedi Slimane and John Galliano left their roles at Celine and Maison Margiela respectively, with nothing else lined up (as far as we know). There were some exciting changes, too: last December, Matthieu Blazy left Bottega Veneta to join the house of Chanel, ending months of rumours and speculations about who would be Virginie Viard’s successor. Meanwhile, his former role at Bottega Veneta was taken up by Louise Trotter, the former creative director of Carven.
If 2024 was full of twists and turns in fashion’s so-called “game” of musical chairs, 2025 is already looking to outdo it. Ahead, tune into all the major shifts within the fashion industry and catch up on all the fashion news to know, from creative director appointments to departures.
Sabato De Sarno Leaves Gucci
Sabato De Sarno is leaving Gucci after two years. The news was announced via a statement from the Italian luxury brand on 6 February.
In that statement, Gucci CEO Stefano Cantino says, “I would like to express my deep gratitude to Sabato for his passion and dedication to Gucci. I sincerely appreciate how he honoured Gucci’s craftsmanship and heritage with such commitment.”
De Sarno joined Gucci as its creative director in 2023, succeeding Alessandro Michele. The Italian fashion designer brought a minimalist vision to Gucci’s womenswear and menswear collections, with a focus on wardrobe staples, coats and tailoring. His Gucci campaigns were similarly straightforward, and he made an effort to spotlight emerging models in them. De Sarno also tapped celebrities like Dakota Johnson, Kendall Jenner, Paul Mescal and Debbie Harry to front Gucci’s campaigns.
The 41-year-old designer started his fashion career as an assistant pattern-maker at Prada, and during his early years at Valentino, where he was design director, he focused on designing men’s coats. De Sarno’s tenure at Gucci, which he joined after leaving Valentino, lasted two years.
De Sarno’s successor is yet to be announced. Gucci will present a collection from its in-house design team during its Fall/Winter 2025 fashion show on 25 February, during Milan Fashion Week.
Kim Jones Exits Dior
Kim Jones is leaving Dior. The British designer is making his exit mere days after presenting his Dior Men’s Fall/Winter 2025 collection in Paris, which received a standing ovation. In January 2025, Jones was also awarded the Knight of the Legion of Honor, France’s highest civilian honour.
Jones spent seven years at the helm of Dior, taking over Kris Van Assche in 2018. He drew upon the maison’s rich archives of womenswear and haute couture to create desirable menswear. He also created buzz with a string of collaborations with the likes of Nike, Kaws, Shawn Stussy, Hajime Sorayama, Travis Scott and Lewis Hamilton.
On top of being recognised at the CFDA and the British Fashion Awards, Jones was also awarded an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 2020. The news of Jones’s departure from Dior comes three months after he stepped down at Fendi, where he served as artistic director of haute couture and women’s ready-to-wear.
In a statement, Jones said, “It was a true honour to have been able to create my collections within the house of Dior, a symbol of absolute excellence. I express my deep gratitude to my studio and the ateliers who have accompanied me on this wonderful journey. They have brought my creations to life. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the artists and friends I have met through my collaborations. Lastly, I feel sincere gratitude towards Bernard and Delphine Arnault, who have given me their full support.”
Dior has yet to announce Jones’s successor.
Glenn Martens Joins Maison Margiela
Glenn Martens has been named as the new creative director of Maison Margiela.
The Belgian designer succeeds John Galliano, who left the Paris-based fashion label in December 2024 after a decade.
“I have worked with Glenn for years, I have witnessed his talent, and I know what he is capable of,” said Renzo Rosso, chairman of OTB Group, which owns Maison Margiela. The label was founded in 1988 by Belgian designer Martin Margiela, who retired from the fashion industry in 2009.
“After Martin, who gave life to the maison and its unique Artisanal line, and John who made it the most cutting-edge couture house in the world, I am proud to have a third couturier at its helm,” added Rosso. “Glenn, who studied at Antwerp’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts like Martin, has already shown his prowess and his vision in couture.”
Martens is currently the creative director of Diesel—also owned by OTB Group—and was formerly at the helm of Y/Project. The 41-year-old designer left his role as creative director of Y/Project in September 2024, and the French fashion was shuttered in January 2025.
The date of Martens’s first fashion show for Maison Margiela is yet to be announced.
The announcement from Maison Margiela and its parent company OTB Group did not specify when Martens would show his first collection for the brand.
This story first appeared on GRAZIA Singapore.
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Breaking: Kim Jones Announces Exit From Dior