In the latest fashion news, Gucci has named Demna as its new Artistic Director.

      (Image credit: Demna) Just hours after Donatella Versace announced her exit from the brand founded by her brother Gianni Versace, another Italian fashion house revealed significant news. On Thursday, Kering and Gucci addressed one of fashion's pressing inquiries following Sabato De Sarno's departure in early February: Who will steer Gucci into its future? Their answer? Demna Gvasalia, the soon-to-be former creative director of Balenciaga (another Kering label), a position he has held since 2015. "Demna's impact on the industry, Balenciaga, and the success of the Group has been extraordinary," said François-Henri Pinault, Kering's chairman and CEO, in a press release. "His creative vision is precisely what Gucci requires." The Georgian designer will conclude his tenure at Balenciaga in style with a final collection to be showcased during Paris couture week on July 6. According to the release, he will start at Gucci shortly thereafter in early July 2025.

      Gucci seems to be seeking a balance between tradition and innovation to drive the brand forward and boost sales as the decade progresses. "[Demna's] skill in honoring a brand’s iconic heritage while welcoming a contemporary sensibility is remarkable," stated Stefano Cantino, CEO of Gucci. "With Gucci's strong foundation as a launching pad, Demna will guide the House toward renewed fashion authority and lasting cultural relevance."

      For now, the only glimpse of what Demna's designs for Gucci may look like can be drawn from the Hacker Project in 2021, when Gucci's former creative director Alessandro Michele (now at Valentino) "hacked" Balenciaga for its 100th anniversary Aria collection, incorporating his own elements into some of Demna's most recognizable designs, such as the hourglass blazer and handbag. (Later, Demna reciprocated by spray-painting "This Is Not a Gucci Bag" on Balenciaga-style versions of Gucci's classic bags.) In playful texts shared on Gucci's Instagram Stories following the Aria show, Demna recounted his connection to the brand: "I remember in the late '90s when I purchased my first perfume. (It was a sample, the only accessible option in post-USSR Georgia)," one message noted. It was a small bottle of Gucci Envy, which he still kept at home at the time. "So very fashion and fierce," he commented on his first Gucci item.

      In just a few months, Demna will have the opportunity to craft his own unique identity (and much more) for the house he has admired for years. "I am genuinely thrilled to join the Gucci family," he expressed in Thursday's release. "It’s an honor to contribute to a House that I hold in high regard and have long respected. I look forward to collaborating with Stefano and the entire team to pen a new chapter in Gucci's remarkable story."