Over the last few months, names like Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney have been bandied about as possible candidates to replace Gucci creative director Tom Ford after his departure this season. But the firm has now announced that the American's expensive portfolio – he headed up everything from Gucci menswear to YSL Rive Gauche – will be covered by not one, but four designers.
Stefano Pilati, once Ford's second-in-command, called his new appointment as creative director at YSL Rive Gauche – a label which is part of the Gucci Group – "a dream for any fashion designer". The 38-year-old will unveil his first collection in Paris in October.
Gucci womenswear will be overseen by former design director Alessandra Facchinetti, who worked under Ford for the past four years. Accessories, meanwhile, will be taken over by Frida Giannini, who has been with the company since 2002.
The lone non-Italian in the bunch is Scottish designer John Ray, who is stepping into the role of the menswear creative director. "I feel so proud of what we have achieved under Tom's guidance," he said. "To be able to direct the men's collection myself is a tremendous opportunity."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
