The ongoing leadership shakeup at Gucci sees another departure, as Massimo Rigucci, the Head of Industrial Operations overseeing leather goods, footwear, and jewelry, prepares to exit in mid-January. Gucci, currently undergoing a transition with new Creative Director Sabato De Sarno, has witnessed recent high-profile exits, including Creative Director Alessandro Michele and CEO Marco Bizzarri.
Rigucci, a stalwart with Gucci for 23 years, played a pivotal role in leading ArtLab, the brand’s cutting-edge center for craftsmanship and R&D focused on leather goods and footwear. Amid these changes, speculation points to Massimo Vian, the current Head of Industrial Operations at Prada, as Rigucci’s likely successor.
As Gucci gears up for organizational shifts in the coming weeks, the brand remains resilient despite a series of high-level departures. This follows the departure of Susan Chokachi, the former Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer, replaced by Alessio Vannetti. The fashion house has also discreetly parted ways with other senior managers.
Simultaneously, Gucci’s creative studio, set to relocate from Rome to Milan, has seen notable departures. Davide Renne, who led women’s ready-to-wear design for two decades, transitioned to Moschino before a tragic premature passing. Simone Bellotti, with 16 years at Gucci, has taken the role of Creative Director at Bally. In addition, Daniel Kearns, the Design Director for men’s collections since 2022, recently joined Cerruti 1881 and assumed the role of Style Director at Kent & Curwen.
As the luxury fashion giant navigates these changes, the spotlight remains on its commitment to evolution and adaptability in the ever-dynamic fashion industry.
