Gucci's Sabato De Sarno Departs and Mugler's Casey Cadwallader Said to Leave Next in This Week's Top Fashion News

In this week's top fashion news, more creative director break-ups surfaced online, 2025 Met Gala details were revealed and cross-cultural initiatives hailed from the skate world.

While Gucci formally announced creative director Sabato De Sarno's departure,  Mugler has yet to confirm Casey Cadwallader's rumored departure, and Yeezy creative director Gosha Rubchinskiy took to his own social channels to announce his departure from Ye's brand. As the Met Gala approaches, this year's dress code and host committee have been announced, including British designer Grace Wales Bonner and legendary African American designer Dapper Dan. Elsewhere, French house Louis Vuitton tapped NY skateboarder Tyshawn Jones as an ambassador, while British skate label Palace set up a new outpost in Seoul, South Korea.

Below, Hypebeast has rounded up the top fashion stories of the week so you can stay up to date on trends in the industry.

Sabato De Sarno Steps Down as Creative Director of Gucci

On Thursday, February 6, Italian fashion house Gucci announced that Sabato De Sarno is departing from his creative director position after serving for just two years. “I would like to express my deep gratitude to Sabato for his passion and dedication to Gucci. I sincerely appreciate how he honored Gucci’s craftsmanship and heritage with such commitment,” Stefano Cantino, CEO of Gucci, said in a statement provided to Vogue Business. Additionally, it was shared that the house's forthcoming Fall/Winter 2025 runway show at Milan Fashion Week will be helmed by the Gucci design studio.

“I sincerely thank Sabato for his loyalty and professionalism. I am proud of the work that has been done to further strengthen Gucci’s fundamentals. Stefano and the new artistic direction will continue to build on this and to guide Gucci towards renewed fashion leadership and sustainable growth,” added Francesca Bellettini, deputy CEO of Gucci’s parent company, Kering. A new creative director is yet to be announced.

The relatively short period in which De Sarno served as director was somewhat of a reset of the house's design codes. Following the departure of Alessandro Michele, who pushed the brand's identity to new limits with his maximalist style, De Sarno brought a refined approach to new collections that focussed on the brand's retro sensibilities. However, towards the end of his two-year presence at Gucci, the brand was hit hard by the luxury crisis, which rocked the industry with dwindling sales as 2025 approached.

Mugler Creative Director Casey Cadwallader Reportedly Stepping Down

Earlier in the week, WWD reported that sources hinted at the coming departure of Casey Cadwallader from Mugler. The move perhaps explains why Mugler was not listed on the provisional calendar for Paris Fashion Week this coming March. WWD mentioned a potential departure as early as Spring 2025.

The designer joined the French fashion house in 2018, following roles at Marc Jacobs, Loewe, Narciso Rodriguez, and Acne Studios. During his time with Mugler, Cadwallader has given the house a contemporary relevance with his sexy and refined silhouettes, all while honoring Mugler’s rich archival collections.

In September, Cadwallader presented Mugler’s SS25 collection and introduced a new documentary called Inside the Dream: Mugler, which celebrated the house’s 50th anniversary. The feature delved into Mugler’s boundary-pushing couture moments like the “Chimère” mermaid dress and took viewers behind the scenes of Cadwallader’s SS24 presentation. Mugler’s team has not confirmed Casey Cadwallader’s departure at this time.

Gosha Rubchinskiy and YEEZY End Collaboration

In a new Instagram post, Russian designer Gosha Rubchinskiy announced that his collaboration with YEEZY would come to an end, after operating as the Ye-founded streetwear brand’s head of design for almost two years. Following the bitter end of Ye's relationship with adidas over hate speech, Rubchinskiy joined YEEZY in 2023.

On the post, Rubchinskiy stated, “Our partnership with YEEZY has reached its conclusion. The December drop was last for me. I’m deeply grateful to Ye and the entire YEEZY team for a memorable experience—one that will always stay with me.” He concluded, “As I move forward, I continue to develop my creative vision, exploring new projects and evolving past ideas in ways that feel true to me. In due time, I will share more about what’s next for upcoming GOSHA RUBCHINSKIY brand relaunch.”

2025 Met Gala Unveils Dress Code & Taps Grace Wales Bonner, Dapper Dan, Edward Enninful for Host Comittee

On Tuesday, the Met Gala uncovered more details surrounding the annual fashion festivity, including the host committee members and the official dress code. A fitting theme “Tailored to You,” leans into the exhibition’s sartorial focus. “‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” will offer an in-depth review of Black dandy fashion, a movement of elegant Black menswear that dates back to the 19th century.

To join co-chairs, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell, Lewis Hamilton, Colman Domingo, Lebron James, and Anna Wintour, the event will enlist British designer Grace Wales Bonner, former British Vogue chief editor Edward Enninful, and legendary Black fashion figure Dapper Dan. Other members include André 3000, Simone Biles, Doechii, Ayo Edebiri, Spike Lee and Olivier Rousteing.

In a statement shared with Business of Fashion, Costume Institute Curator Andrew Bolton said “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style is our department’s first exhibition devoted to menswear in more than 20 years.” “The show also reflects our ongoing commitment to diversifying our exhibitions in a way that is authentic to The Costume Institute,” he continued.

Tyshawn Jones Joins Louis Vuitton as the Newest "Friend of the House"

Louis Vuitton has welcomed a new ambassador, but this time, the French label is not enlisting another musician or entertainer. Skateboarder Tyshawn Jones was welcomed as Louis Vuitton's newest “Friend of the House,” reinforcing their commitment to embracing diverse talents across fashion and culture. The New York City native and prominent skate figure was personally invited to Pharrell's Louis Vuitton FW25 show, marking the start of their cross-category partnership.

Pharrell's Friends of the House ambassador program, which previously enlisted footballer Jude Bellingham, rapper Pusha T, and more aims to build out the brand's ties across the spectrum of contemporary culture, aligning with the creative director's multi-faceted artistic breadth.

Palace To Open Second Store in Seoul

After opening its first South Korean flagship in Seoul’s Apgujeoung ward, Palace is set to open an outpost in the capital city’s Mapo-gu area, known for its youthful energy and universities. The new space, designed in collaboration with Steve Oh of OSTVO, is inspired by London’s Southbank skating landmark where Palace was born. Design features like brutalist interior decals, massive floor-to-ceiling windows, concrete pillars and sprawling screen walls evoke the sights from Palace's hometown.

“The pillars are such an iconic part of growing up at Southbank. The team worked really hard to mimic the wood-like texture of the concrete,” Palace’s design team told Hypebeast. “Overall, we wanted it to feel welcoming, and we hope they enjoy looking at it and checking all the finer details out of the space.” Palace’s new Seoul store is slated to open on February 8.

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