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Ann Demeulemeester has promoted its menswear designer Stefano Gallici to creative director, replacing Ludovic de Saint Sernin, who exited in May after just six months.
Gallici joined Ann Demeulemeester in 2020, the same year it was acquired by the Antonioli Group. Before that, he worked with Haider Ackermann as assistant designer. He will present his first collection as creative director for the Belgian brand on 30 September during Paris Fashion Week.
“Stefano immediately demonstrated a strong creativity and a clear vision for Ann Demeulemeester. He represents the DNA of the brand with an eye to the future,” said Claudio Antonioli, founder of the Antonioli Group.
De Saint Sernin’s appointment in December 2022 marked a turning point for the company, which had been operating with a design team rather than a big-name creative director, with some involvement from its eponymous founder. Several heritage brands have pursued a similar strategy of employing fresh young names to attract a new audience, most recently Nina Ricci with Harris Reed. However, many of these have been short lived: Charles De Vilmorin exited Rochas after four collections in April, while Rhuigi Villaseñor recently departed Bally after less than two years. Serhat Işik and Benjamin Huseby lasted three years at Trussardi, but followed the brand’s CEO out the door in March.
With Gallici’s appointment, Ann Demeulemeester follows Bottega Veneta and Bally in filling the creative director or design director role internally.
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