Alessandro Michele, the eccentric Creative Director of Gucci since 2015, is the driving force behind the brand’s revival and commercial success. With his contemporary sensibilities and deep understanding of Gucci’s unique identity, Alessandro has created a compelling narrative that resonates with both loyal followers and new enthusiasts. His passion for vintage is evident in his role as a gatekeeper to Gucci’s traditions, and his personal love for antique collecting extends to home décor, clothing, and accessories. Alessandro’s sense of responsibility fuels his mission to make Gucci a marketable and sustainable brand without compromising its core beliefs.
Quick Facts
- Age: 51 Years, 51 Year Old Males
- Family: siblings: Roberta, Partner: Giovanni (Vanni) Attili
- Born Country: Italy
- Fashion Designers
- Italian Men
- Height: 5’2″ (157 cm), 5’2″ Males
- Grouping of People: Gay
- City: Rome, Italy
- Awards: CFDA Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti International Award
Career
Alessandro Michele began his career in the fashion industry after receiving a costume design education from Rome’s Accademia di Costume e di Moda. He started by joining the Italian knitwear brand Les Copains. He then worked as the Senior Accessories Designer at Fendi under Silvia Venturini Fendi and Karl Lagerfeld. In 2002, he was noticed by Tom Ford and brought on board to Gucci’s design office in London. Since then, Alessandro has held various roles within the Gucci studio, including Leather Goods Design Director, Associate to Creative Director Frida Giannini, and Creative Director for Gucci’s Florentine porcelain brand Richard Ginori.
On January 21, 2015, Alessandro was appointed as the Creative Director of Gucci, responsible for all product categories, collections, and the brand’s global image. Under his leadership, Gucci experienced a 51% increase in first quarter revenue in March 2017, the strongest numbers the brand had seen in almost 20 years.
Alessandro Michele also played a significant role in Gucci’s decision to stop using fur in their products, making them the first major design house to adopt a cruelty-free garments initiative. This decision was implemented in Gucci’s 2018 Spring collection and inspired other brands like Burberry and Versace to follow suit.
Controversies
Despite his success, Alessandro Michele has faced controversies throughout his career. Gucci’s Fall-Winter 2018 collection featured a black sweater with red lips that sparked a blackface controversy. Alessandro publicly apologized and took full accountability for the design, resulting in the product being removed from the website and stores.
Gucci faced criticism again for a headscarf called the ‘Indy Full Turban’ that resembled a Sikh turban. In response, Alessandro’s designs made a provocative move in the Spring Summer 2020 Milan show, featuring models wearing uniforms that resembled straitjackets and institutional wear. Gucci appointed Renée Tirado as their global head for equity, inclusion, and diversity to address these issues and improve awareness within the organization.
Awards & Honours
Alessandro Michele has received several awards and honors for his contributions to the fashion industry. In 2016, he won the International Fashion Designer Of The Year Award at the British Fashion Awards and the CFDA International Award from the Council Of Fashion Designers Of America. He has also been recognized as one of Hypebeast’s HB100, which honors the 100 most influential people in the industry, in both 2016 and 2017.
Family & Personal Life
Alessandro Michele was born on November 25, 1972, in Rome, Italy. He comes from a family that encouraged his love for beauty and nature. His mother worked as an assistant film executive, and his father was passionate about history and art. As a child, Alessandro would spend his time visiting art galleries, churches, and museums with his father instead of playing football.
He has an older sister named Roberta and two nephews named Tommasso and Pietro. Alessandro’s partner for over a decade is Giovanni (Vanni) Attili, who is a professor of urban planning at Rome’s Sapienza University and conducts research on the Haida and Dakelh people in Alaska.