Giannini Leaves Gucci One Month Early

Fashion watchers expecting to see Frida Giannini take her final  Gucci bow following the label's autumn/winter 2015 show next month will be disappointed, as it has emerged that the designer has left early. Despite announcing her departure with a measured and appreciative release - giving the impression of a very amicable split - the house confirmed today that Giannini is "no longer in her role as creative director".

"I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding contribution that Frida Giannini has made to Gucci's legacy during her nine year tenure as creative director," said Marco Bizzarri, the new president and CEO of Gucci - Bizzarri replaced former CEO, and Giannini's partner, Patrizio di Marco late last year. 

Frida Giannini

Although the company has not explained the move, many link the hurry to remove Giannini with the urgent need to replace her at the helm as Gucci strives to improve profitability. The rumour mill has already begun to swirl with potential replacements: first up, Giannini's deputy Alessandro Michele. Currently head accessories designer, Michele is an old hand at the Italian label, having joined in 2002.

Far from needing a household name to take charge, Gucci is known for promoting talented creatives, and in fact plucked Giannini from within Tom Ford's team following his departure in 2004. The possible ascension of Michele underlines Gucci's commitment to reassert the focus on to accessories, as well as the need for a safe pair of hands in tumultuous times.

"[Michele] knows all the inside mechanisms," a source told WWD. "With a brand such as Gucci, creativity is tied to industrial development. It's a very scientific machine, where marketing has its say. It's creative only up to a certain point. Calling in a designer from outside can bring an added touch of allure, but a designer from the inside may work better in the long run."