By Sara Fabek Zovko
This year, the creative director turnover rate has been one for the history books. Will 2024 slow down the creative redirection, or keep it going?
As we look back through the year in fashion, one thing becomes very apparent: many iconic brands have been graced with new creative directors. Whether it’s shock departures, pre-planned turnovers or the passing of an icon, 2023 is leaving the fashion world with many changes and the lingering question of whether they’re for the better in the long run.
While the changes that have taken place within various brand headquarters this year are too many to list, here are a few that left the fashion world buzzing after their announcement.
Sabato de Sarno
Formerly Valentino’s fashion director, now the creative director at Gucci as of May 2023.
De Sarno has an impressive resume, having worked at both Prada and D&G in design roles, and holds an impressive reputation among the fashion design elite. The new role at Gucci has already begun to skyrocket him into mainstream recognition.
Pharrell Williams
The fashion world was filled with opinions, both good and bad when Pharrell Williams was announced as the iconic Virgil Abloh’s successor and new creative director for Louis Vuitton menswear.
The biggest move made by new LV CEO Pietro Beccari has received mostly positive responses so far, although the initial announcement was received with shock. Despite his collections receiving good reviews, Williams still has very big shoes to fill.
Simon Holloway
One of Britain’s most iconic luxury menswear brands, Dunhill, appointed Holloway as the new creative director in April of this year.
Coming out of several senior design positions in iconic houses such as Jimmy Choo and Michael Kors, Holloway’s appointment is predicted to further Dunhill’s evolvement and help and support its expansion, as said by CEO Lauren Malecaze.
Stefano Gallici
Ann Demeulemeester’s new creative director filled the shoes of Ludovic de Saint Sernin after only one season with the brand.
With previous experience at the house, Gallici’s fashion-forward visions and passion for the genderfluid, streamlined designs he demonstrated in the de Saint Sernin debut show during Paris Fashion Week this year, have put him at the forefront of the industry.
Seán McGirr
The Central Saint Martins graduate has acquired his first directorial role at Alexander McQueen. He comes in adorned with experience from brands such as Uniqlo and JW Anderson and succeeds Sarah Burton after 26 years in the position.
Great interest has awoken in fans of the house as they anticipate McGirr’s twist on Burton’s characteristically feminine and subversive designs. McGirr’s background being predominantly in menswear is sure to add an element of new flair to the brand.
Along with the newly appointed creative directors named above, many brands are leaving the public questioning what they may do next. Givenchy, having lost Matthew M Williams, enters 2024 without a new creative director in place, as does Moschino after Davide Renne’s tragic passing in November of 2023. Both houses have an iconic legacy to carry on, so where will it go?
While 2023's creative director turnover saw a major increase, 2024 promises a lot more changes to the fashion world. As fresh talent continues to roll in and veteran creative directors ask to be played out, it’s only a matter of which brand will have a change of creative leadership next, rather than if one will.
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