The group had been under pressure to quickly appoint someone to the top creative job at Gucci following the abrupt departure in November of Alessandro Michele.

De Sarno, a senior fashion designer from Valentino, will be tasked with reviving the fortunes of a brand that accounted for two-thirds of Kering's profits in 2021.

The label has been losing momentum in recent years after stellar growth in 2015-19.

Kering's shares opened 0.1% lower.

(Reporting by Mimosa Spencer; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)