PARIS (Reuters) - Kering announced on Saturday the appointment of Sabato De Sarno as creative director of Gucci, where he will be tasked with relaunching a brand that, after strong growth between 2015 and 2019, has been in decline in recent years.

Originally from Naples, Sabato De Sarno began his career at Prada in 2005, moved to Dolce & Gabbana, then joined Valentino in 2009. He held various positions before becoming Fashion Director, overseeing both the men's and women's collections.

He will present his first collection for Gucci at Milan Fashion Week for Women in September 2023, Kering said in a press release.

Gucci's former creative director, Alessandro Michele, left the house suddenly in November after seven years in the post following tensions with Kering management, sources told Reuters.

In his new role, Sabato De Sarno will head Gucci's creative studio and report to Marco Bizzarri, CEO of the Italian fashion and luxury house.

"He will be responsible for defining and expressing the house's creative vision across the women's, men's, leather goods, accessories and lifestyle collections," according to the Kering press release.

"With Sabato De Sarno (...), we are confident that Gucci will continue to influence fashion and culture, through highly desirable products and collections, and bring a singular and contemporary outlook to modern luxury," said Kering CEO François-Henri Pinault, quoted in the release.