Gucci’s Sabato De Sarno Departs and Mugler’s Casey Cadwallader Said to Leave Next in This Week’s Top Fashion News

This week, there were more instances of creative directors parting ways, announced online; details about the 2025 Met Gala were disclosed, and cultural collaborations in the skate community received praise.

Gucci officially confirmed Sabato De Sarno’s exit as creative director, whereas Mugler has yet to verify the rumors surrounding Casey Cadwallader‘s departure. Gosha Rubchinskiy, Yeezy’s creative director, himself announced his resignation from the brand through his personal social media channels. In anticipation of the upcoming Met Gala, its theme and host committee have been revealed, including British designer Grace Wales Bonner and iconic African American designer Dapper Dan. Meanwhile, Louis Vuitton selected NY skateboarder Tyshawn Jones as an ambassador, and British skate label Palace established a new location in Seoul, South Korea.

Here is a rephrased version of your text: This article gathers the most significant fashion news from the past week, keeping you informed about the latest industry trends.

Sabato De Sarno Steps Down as Creative Director of Gucci

On Thursday, February 6, it was revealed that Sabato De Sarno is leaving his role as creative director at Gucci, an Italian fashion brand, after only two years in the position. In a statement given to Vogue Business, Stefano Cantino, CEO of Gucci, acknowledged De Sarno’s dedication and passion for the company and praised his commitment to preserving Gucci’s craftsmanship and legacy. It was further mentioned that the upcoming Fall/Winter 2025 fashion show at Milan Fashion Week will be led by the Gucci design studio instead.

Francesca Bellettini, the deputy CEO of Kering (Gucci’s parent company), expressed heartfelt gratitude towards Sabato for his unwavering loyalty and dedication to professionalism. She takes pride in the efforts that have been made to solidify Gucci’s foundations even further. Stefano and the fresh artistic vision will carry on enhancing this progress and lead Gucci toward a revitalized position of fashion authority and sustainable expansion, Bellettini added. The identity of the new creative director for Gucci has not been revealed yet.

During De Sarno’s brief tenure as director, the design philosophy of the house underwent a refreshing change. After Alessandro Michele had significantly expanded the brand’s identity through his maximalist style, De Sarno introduced a more streamlined aesthetic to future collections that emphasized Gucci’s classic charm. However, towards the end of his two-year tenure at Gucci, the luxury market faced a severe downturn, causing a significant drop in sales as 2025 neared.

Mugler Creative Director Casey Cadwallader Reportedly Stepping Down

Previously, WWD had suggested that Casey Cadwallader might be leaving Mugler. This speculated exit could be why Mugler wasn’t included in the preliminary schedule for Paris Fashion Week in March. WWD hinted at a possible departure as far back as Spring 2025.

In 2018, the designer took up a position at a renowned French fashion brand. Prior to this, he had worked for Marc Jacobs, Loewe, Narciso Rodriguez, and Acne Studios. Since then, at Mugler, Cadwallader has made the label contemporary by creating stylish and sophisticated designs that respect the brand’s historical collections.

In September, Casey Cadwallader showcased the SS25 collection by Mugler and launched a new documentary titled “Inside the Dream: Mugler“, marking the house’s 50th anniversary. The film explored Mugler’s groundbreaking couture pieces such as the “Chimère” mermaid dress, offering a glimpse into the making of Cadwallader’s SS24 presentation. At present, Mugler’s team has not confirmed if Casey Cadwallader is leaving the company.

Gosha Rubchinskiy and YEEZY End Collaboration

In a recent Instagram update, Russian fashion designer Gosha Rubchinskiy disclosed that his partnership with YEEZY is concluding, having served as the creative head of the streetwear brand under Ye’s founding for nearly two years. After Ye parted ways with adidas due to controversial comments, Rubchinskiy began working with YEEZY in 2023.

On the post, Rubchinskiy announced, “Our collaboration with YEEZY has come to an end. The December drop was my final one. I’m profoundly thankful to Ye and the entire YEEZY crew for a remarkable journey that I will always remember.” He added, “As I progress, I’ll continue to nurture my creative vision, embarking on new ventures and refining old concepts in a manner that resonates with me. In due course, I’ll disclose more about the future plans for the GOSHA RUBCHINSKIY brand relaunch.

2025 Met Gala Unveils Dress Code & Taps Grace Wales Bonner, Dapper Dan, Edward Enninful for Host Comittee

On Tuesday, further information about the Met Gala was revealed, such as the host committee and the specific dress code for the event. The theme this year, “Tailored to You,” highlights the sartorial aspect of the exhibition. The exhibit, titled “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” will delve into the history and evolution of dandy fashion among African Americans, a style that originated in the 19th century.

The event will invite Grace Wales Bonner, Edward Enninful (former British Vogue editor-in-chief), and Dapper Dan, who are renowned figures in the fashion world, to join as co-chairs alongside A$AP Rocky, Pharrell, Lewis Hamilton, Colman Domingo, Lebron James, and Anna Wintour. Additionally, André 3000, Simone Biles, Doechii, Ayo Edebiri, Spike Lee, and Olivier Rousteing will also participate in the event.

In an interview with Business of Fashion, the Curator of the Costume Institute, Andrew Bolton, stated that “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” marks the first exhibition from our department focusing on menswear in over two decades. He added that this exhibit also demonstrates our ongoing dedication to making our exhibitions more diverse and representative of The Costume Institute’s values.

Tyshawn Jones Joins Louis Vuitton as the Newest “Friend of the House”

Louis Vuitton has brought on board a fresh ambassador, yet this time, the iconic French brand is not recruiting another musician or entertainer. Instead, they have chosen skateboarder Tyshawn Jones to be their latest “Friend of the House,” which underscores their dedication to celebrating diverse talents in both fashion and culture. Born in New York City, Tyshawn Jones is a notable figure in the skateboarding world, and he was invited personally by Pharrell to attend the Louis Vuitton FW25 show, signaling the beginning of their multifaceted collaboration across various fields.

Pharrell’s Friends of the House program, which has previously recruited footballer Jude Bellingham, rapper Pusha T, and others, strives to expand the brand’s connections throughout the realm of modern culture. This aligns with the creative director’s diverse artistic background.

Palace To Open Second Store in Seoul

Following the launch of its first South Korean flagship store in Seoul’s Apgujeong ward, Palace plans to establish another location in Mapo-gu, a district recognized for its vibrant youth culture and educational institutions. The upcoming venue, created in partnership with Steve Oh from OSTVO, draws inspiration from London’s Southbank skate spot where Palace originated. Distinctive design elements such as brutalist interior accents, expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, exposed concrete pillars, and expansive screen walls aim to replicate the visual landscape of Palace’s hometown.

In simple terms, “The pillars are a significant element of our childhood experience at Southbank. Our design team put in a lot of effort to make the concrete look like wood grain,” said Palace’s design team to TopMob. “Our aim was to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, and we hope people will appreciate the details and enjoy exploring them within the space.” Palace’s new store in Seoul is set to open on February 8th.

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2025-02-08 00:27