MILAN, March 28 — Valentino has appointed former Gucci designer Alessandro Michele as creative director starting from next week, the Italian fashion house said on Thursday.

The decision follows last week’s announcement of the departure of creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli from Valentino.

Michele, who is Italian, is known for his flamboyant styles that had helped drive soaring growth at Gucci between 2015 and 2019. He left the Italian brand, owned by French luxury group Kering, at the end of 2022.

"The appointment of Alessandro Michele marks another pivotal moment for Maison Valentino,” Chairman Rachid Mohamed Rachid said in a statement.

"It’s an incredible honour for me,” said Michele. He will be based in Rome, where the fashion house is headquartered.

Kering bought a 30 per cent stake in Valentino last year from Qatari investment fund Mayhoola, with an option to buy the rest in five years.

"I can’t wait to see his passion, imagination and dedication at play in this new chapter for Valentino,” Francois-Henri Pinault, chairman and chief executive of Kering, said in a separate statement. — Reuters