CEO and creative director of Gucci step down

Kering has announced that the CEO of Gucci, Patrizio di Marco has resigned and will leave the company on January 1, 2015. He will be succeeded by Marco Bizzarri. The creative director of Gucci, Frida Giannini, will also leave her position at the end of February 2015. She will show her Fall/Winter 2015-2016 womenswear collection on February 25, 2015. A new Creative Director for the brand will be appointed later.

Patrizio di Marco has been with Kering for more than 13 years. He joined the group in 2001 as CEO of Bottega Veneta. He successfully re-launched the brand, building one of the most impressive stories of the decade in the industry and laying down the foundation for the strong momentum that Bottega Veneta still enjoys today. As Gucci CEO, Patrizio di Marco defined the brand elevation strategy implemented during his six-year tenure that was instrumental in recapturing the sophisticated consumer, improving the overall quality of the sales mix and conquering market share in the upscale segment. As a result of the successful implementation of the strategy, Gucci sales growth was driven by existing store performance, enlarged network footprint and distribution buyback.

Commenting on Marco’s departure, François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO of Kering, said, “I truly enjoyed working with Patrizio over those years. The great performances achieved by the Gucci brand during his tenure stand as a testament to his success. His strategic vision, passion, dedication and charisma were key to bring Gucci where it is today. I want to warmly thank him and wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”

Frida Giannini has been with the Kering Group and Gucci for over 12 years. She first joined Gucci in 2002, assuming the role of Head of Design for Leather Goods from 2004 and adding the responsibility of Head of Design for women’s ready-to-wear from 2005. In 2006, she was appointed as sole Creative Director of the Florentine House. Frida Giannini brought the brand full circle to the vision of the founder of the House, placing a balance between Gucci’s fashion authority and its artisanal roots. She gave a new image to the Gucci stores and developed new product categories, notably Gucci's license business including fragrance, beauty and eyewear.

Marco Bizzarri joined the Kering group in 2005 as CEO of Stella McCartney and was appointed CEO of Bottega Veneta in January 2009. During his tenure, sales and profit of the House increased dramatically. Since April 2014, he has been the CEO of Kering’s ‘Luxury – Couture & Leather Goods’ division. As newly appointed Gucci CEO, Marco Bizzarri will report directly to François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO of Kering. As Chief Executive Officer of Gucci and member of the Executive Committee of Kering, Marco Bizzarri will support Gucci’s brand elevation strategy to continue to strengthen the brand’s international growth, reinforce its unique positioning and develop the iconic Florentine house throughout the changing world of luxury.