Creative Director Sabato De Sarno is set to present his inaugural menswear collection for the House on Friday, January 12 at 3:00 p.m. CET, live from Fonderia Carlo Macchi in Milan.
Inside Gucci’s Creative Sanctuary: A Glimpse into Milan Sabato De Sarno’s World
Milan Sabato De Sarno, the creative director of Gucci, is a man who values his personal space. In a candid conversation, he confesses, “I never host anyone.” Seated on his living room couch, accompanied by his dapple dachshund, Luce, he shares that even colleagues and family rarely get an invitation. His home is his sanctuary, a place where he disconnects from work and finds relaxation.
De Sarno’s apartment, located in the Renaissance quarter of Rome, is a haven of contemporary art. The walls are adorned with works by artists like Jannis Kounellis and Sidival Fila. Prints of Italian icons, including Pier Paolo Pasolini, add a touch of cultural richness. De Sarno takes pride in the value of these artworks, particularly one linked to Paolo Di Paolo’s exhibition at a Rome museum during his predecessor Alessandro Michele’s time.
The ambiance is complemented by fertility sculptures from Sardinia, featuring the deep bordeaux color that De Sarno is incorporating into Gucci’s designs. His first runway collection in September, named Ancora, meaning “again” in an insatiable sense, reflects his ambition for Gucci: to evoke passion and touch people’s hearts. “I want Gucci to touch people’s hearts,” he emphasizes.
Behind him, a monograph on Valentino, his home for 14 years, symbolizes his fashion journey. Kering, the fashion giant, recognized his talent and appointed him to lead Gucci in January 2023. Currently, he’s immersed in preparations for the upcoming February runway show, with a studio filled with ideas, works in progress, and boxes ready for the relocation of Gucci’s design operation to Milan.
Family holds a special place in De Sarno’s life. Recently, he reunited with his parents and brother in Como, sharing moments and enjoying a meal together. His mother, curious about his encounters with celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck at Gucci’s Los Angeles County Museum of Art gala, was keen to hear about his experiences. De Sarno reminisces about meeting Kim Kardashian, being treated as famous by the famous, and the surreal moment of being introduced to Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio. “I’ve seen Titanic 15 times,” he adds with a smile, reflecting on the unexpected celebrity status he has acquired.
In this glimpse into Milan Sabato De Sarno’s world, we see not only the creative mind behind Gucci but also a man who cherishes his personal space, values family, and aspires to infuse passion into the iconic brand.
Quick thing to mention, “Ancora” is using the soundtrack from the previous show, but this time adding a bit of the gender dysphoria from Margiela‘s last show.
Creative Director Sabato De Sarno has crafted a modern interpretation for the fall 2024/2025 season, drawing upon elements from the 1996-1997 Gucci collection designed by Tom Ford. Long stripes are incorporated as scarves, and there are sprinkled tops, vinyl gloves, as well as shades of grays, blues, and dark tones to evoke the imminent arrival of fall in this collection.
