21 Questions for the New Gucci Designer

Final January, two months after Alessandro Michele shocked the style world by saying he was leaving Gucci, a model he had transformed right into a trendsetter with $10 billion in income in 2022, the corporate named his successor, and that too shocked the style world. Who was this man, Sabato De Sarno, who can be getting into Mr. Michele’s fur-lined, logo-ed Gucci slides?

Little is understood past fundamental biographical info: Mr. De Sarno began his profession at Prada earlier than transferring to Dolce & Gabbana after which Valentino, the place he spent virtually 14 years, in the end turning into the style director in control of males’s and girls’s ready-to-wear.

Which is why, once I had the prospect to take a seat down with Mr. De Sarno earlier than his first Gucci present, I seized the second to play 21 questions. Here’s what I realized, in edited kind, beneath.

What’s your first reminiscence?

I used to be about 7, within the small village I come from within the countryside, near Naples. I used to be on a Vespa with my grandfather, simply driving round, speaking. He died 10 years in the past, and we had been very shut. I’ve his identify. When the announcement got here out about Gucci, it made me very emotional as a result of my father stated, “I do know Sabato can be very proud to learn his identify within the magazines.”

What’s your favourite meals?

Eggplant Parmesan from my mom. She is one of the best prepare dinner on the earth. She makes use of it to persuade me to go to her in Como, the place they dwell now. She says, “Should you come residence, I could make it for you.” And all the time, she wins. I’m a horrible prepare dinner.

What else are you unhealthy at?

I actually prefer to drive, however folks say I’m a horrible driver. In Rome, I get round on metropolis bikes.

What’s your favourite ice cream taste?

Stracciatella.

What’s the very first thing you do within the morning?

I’ve a dachshund named Lucia, and she or he likes to sleep near my ft. Once I get up, she simply comes up, and we spend two or three minutes cuddling.

Do you sing within the bathe?

Sure, pop music. This morning I used to be singing a music by Romy from the xx.

How did you rejoice your final birthday?

I simply had my fortieth birthday. It was at a nightclub. I really like dance golf equipment. It was on the finish of Valentino, the start of Gucci, and I made a decision to get collectively my colleagues, my household and my mates.

Relationship standing?

I received married 5 years in the past. My husband is a lawyer in Brussels on the European Union. We see one another on weekends. It really works very nicely as a result of once we keep collectively, we actually have high quality time: simply me and him and our canine. We don’t struggle fairly often as a result of if we struggle, we have to make a peace earlier than leaving. We’re very reverse folks, however I really like that. It offers me the prospect to know various things.

What piece of clothes have you ever had the longest?

A darkish navy employee’s jacket I purchased on Portobello Street once I was 19. It was the primary second I purchased one thing as a chunk of my wardrobe. I nonetheless put on it.

Do you’ve a uniform?

White sneakers from the model I’m engaged on, or Converse. Black Levi’s and a black T-shirt in the summertime and black sweater within the winter.

Wait … isn’t that the uniform of Pierpaolo Piccioli, your former boss at Valentino?

It’s the identical as Pierpaolo, however I did it earlier than him. Throughout the day I must make so many choices about garments and styling that I favor one thing that may be very straightforward. Once I journey, I simply pack 5 black T shirts, three trousers. Additionally, I don’t prefer to be too current in locations. I prefer to mix in. However the humorous factor is, I actually love buying. I really like to purchase loopy stuff.

What do you purchase?

I simply purchased loads of items of Raf Simons as a result of it’s his final assortment and I really like his shapes and his solution to do males’s put on. [Mr. Simons closed his namesake label at the end of 2022.] However then I simply put on it for one hour or two in the home and put it away as a result of I don’t prefer to exit like that. It’s unusual, I do know.

I even have a big assortment of coats. I’ve about 200. I began very early to gather coats. The primary one I purchased was a prototype once I labored at Miu Miu. It appears to be like like a coat, besides it has no pockets.

Do you’ve any tattoos?

4. On my proper forearm, an Ellsworth Kelly flower, as a result of I really like Ellsworth Kelly. On my left wrist, a star, which was the primary one my mom allowed me to get, and the quantity 3, which I received with my two good mates they usually even have. Then increased up on that arm, “Ancora,” which I simply received.

It means once more. It’s a phrase I take advantage of lots. Not “once more” as up to now, however “once more” as while you get pleasure from one thing and also you need extra. It’s the identify of my first assortment for Gucci.

Who was the primary particular person you instructed while you received the Gucci job?

My husband. It was a really emotional second. We had been crying. He stated, “I knew that it will occur.” I might hardly consider it. After I put my signature on the contract, I slept with it as a result of I dream lots, and typically once I get up within the morning, I say, “Was it actual or not?” However with my hand on the paper, I’d realize it was actual.

What has stunned you about Gucci to date?

The hugeness of the model. OK, from exterior you see that, however you don’t actually really feel it till you’ve conferences with each single crew world wide. I’m very open, and I don’t have any system about assembly with my crew. I’m Sabato, you simply come within the door.

However I keep in mind the primary week I used to be at Gucci was unusual as a result of nobody talked to me. All of them wished to make appointments. I lastly simply instructed everybody: “OK, I do know I’m the artistic director, however I used to be in your position simply two weeks earlier than. You don’t have to attend for a gathering.”

What’s going to shock folks about your Gucci?

I believe the very first thing is I’m extra actual. I don’t need to construct one other world. I don’t like units. I like once I see folks on the street with my garments. In reality, the primary present goes to be on the street. Additionally, we now have a brand new model coloration: pink. I find it irresistible.

Do you’ve a private motto?

Avanti. Go forward.

What’s your favourite type of train?

I’m probably not a sporty particular person. Once I determine to begin a sport, I am going and purchase all of the stuff to make a pleasant look. I made a decision to swim, for instance, as a result of I began to suppose my shoulders had been turning into too hunchy, so I purchased the swimsuit, the nostril plugs, the ear plugs, the towels. However then after three classes … that’s it.

What’s your favourite e book?

It depends upon the second. I like Elena Ferrante due to the best way she describes my metropolis, Naples. I’m studying a e book by James Baldwin, “Giovanni’s Room.” And I learn the Obama biographies — Michelle and Barack — on the identical time. He jogs my memory of my husband.

What did your husband provide you with in your birthday?

A Cartier Love bracelet. I don’t actually prefer to put on jewellery, however I prefer to put on this.

What’s the finest present you’ve ever given?

I purchased a home for my dad and mom in Como, the place they dwell now. Truthfully, I’m so proud about that. They’re all coming to the present. My household — I’ve two youthful brothers and two nephews — represents to me the place the place I really feel secure and I might be myself.