Giorgio Armani Corporation, the American arm of the renowned Italian luxury group, welcomes a new leader. After nearly two decades at the helm of Giorgio Armani Japan, Izumi Sasano steps into the role of CEO for the American division, overseeing operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. He takes the reins from Gaetano Sciuto, who joined Armani in 2019 from Fendi and later moved on to lead Maison Margiela in July.
Commencing his new role on December 1, Sasano will continue to report to Giuseppe Marsocci, Deputy Managing Director, and Commercial Director of the Armani Group. Meanwhile, Kazumasa Tsuchihashi will assume the position of head of Japan.
Sasano brings with him over two decades of experience in the luxury goods industry, marked by a nineteen-year tenure with the Japanese multinational Sony, where he held senior positions in Europe. In 2000, he made the transition to the fashion world, taking charge of Chanel’s Japanese subsidiary. In 2006, he made the move to Giorgio Armani, once again in Japan.
Founder, designer, and leader of the Italian group, Giorgio Armani, expresses his confidence in Sasano, citing his impressive track record in Japan and the Pacific region. Armani believes that Sasano will excel in his expanded role, injecting a fresh cultural perspective into the position, aligning with the principles of constant progress and enrichment at the core of the Armani Group.
Sasano takes on a strategically significant market, overseeing more than 300 boutiques. Notably, the United States has emerged as a pivotal market where the Italian fashion house witnessed an outstanding sales surge of nearly 20% last year. In the 2022 financial year, the Armani group achieved sales of €2.35 billion, marked by a remarkable 16.5% increase in sales and a 25% rise in gross operating profit (Ebitda) to €289 million.