SABATO's Way
Harper's BAZAAR - US|November 2024
hor GUCCI creative director SABATO DE SARNO, remaking the storied Italian HOUSE for a NEW ERA isnt about OUTRUNNING its PAST. ts about MAKING some HISTORY ofhis OWN.
BROOKE BOBB
SABATO's Way

There's a ghost in the Gucci archive. On a tour of the space, a 15th-century palazzo located on the left bank of the Arno River in Florence, Italy, I'm told that the ghost is thought to be the house's founder, Guccio Gucci. Strange noises have been reported emanating from unoccupied rooms in the building.

To be sure, this site has stories to tell. The former Gucci factory and workshop now contains primary artifacts from the house's 103-year history, including Guccio Gucci's Horsebit loafers, artist Vittorio Accornero's Flora drawings, Tom Ford's red velvet suit, and Alessandro Michele's Dionysus bag. Taken together, they paint a picture of a globally renowned luxury brand.

Currently at the helm, tasked with writing the next chapter for Gucci, sits 41-year-old Sabato De Sarno, now one year into the daunting job. We meet in a high-ceilinged, wood-paneled room that looks like a library, only instead of rare books on the shelves there are bags. Lining the walls in glass cases are some of the most famous and recognizable ones of all time: the Jackie, the Bamboo 1947, the Blondie. "Stupendo," De Sarno says as his eyes dart around the room and he excitedly recalls the histories and points out the intricacies of some of his favorites. "It's a magical place," he says. "All these pieces represent a different moment of Gucci. It's not just pieces of leather or clothes or a brand-it's a story. And I want to continue to tell this story."

De Sarno is in his standard uniform of a boxy, logoless black T-shirt with black jeans and sneakers. "If you see me in a white T-shirt, it's a really bad day," he tells me. "I'll wear white when I need something to make me feel brighter. I use clothes as a language. But most days, I wear total black because I'm a very positive person."

This story is from the November 2024 edition of Harper's BAZAAR - US.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November 2024 edition of Harper's BAZAAR - US.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HARPER'S BAZAAR - USView All
Tipping POINT
Harper's BAZAAR - US

Tipping POINT

When the PROGRESSIVE A-LIST CLIENTELE of the fashionable workout BALLET BEAUTIFUL learned that its FOUNDER was MARRIED to an ARCHITECT of the MAGA BLUEPRINT to impose an ultraconservative social agenda, PROJECT 2025, many felt SHOCKED and even BETRAYED

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 2024
SABATO's Way
Harper's BAZAAR - US

SABATO's Way

hor GUCCI creative director SABATO DE SARNO, remaking the storied Italian HOUSE for a NEW ERA isnt about OUTRUNNING its PAST. ts about MAKING some HISTORY ofhis OWN.

time-read
8 mins  |
November 2024
Inner DRIVE
Harper's BAZAAR - US

Inner DRIVE

KENDRICK LAMAR has consistently PUSHED the ART of HIP-HOP to NEW HEIGHTS. In advance of his SUPER BOWL performance, he gets PERSONAL with friend and fellow artist SZA

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 2024
NECK Tech
Harper's BAZAAR - US

NECK Tech

When it comes to COSMETIC TREATMENTS, the face may get all the attention, but the NECK deserves love too. Novel TECHNOLOGIES that go beyond creams deliver LIFTED, SCULPTED necks—WITHOUT SURGERY.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
PLAN de PARIS
Harper's BAZAAR - US

PLAN de PARIS

EXPLORE the CITY of LIGHT through the eyes of our FASHION EDITORS

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
FREE Spirits
Harper's BAZAAR - US

FREE Spirits

BOHO is BACK in a big way. We tapped some of the ARCHITECTS of the STYLE's REVIVAL over the past three decades to tell us HOW WE GOT HERE.

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2024
Like a VIRGO
Harper's BAZAAR - US

Like a VIRGO

This month, our columnist DEREK C. BLASBERG talks to poet CLEO WADE and reality icon NICOLE RICHIE about the mysteries of the ZODIAC, the power of the INVISIBLE, and why having a VOICE starts with being a good LISTENER

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2024
This Is HOW YOU #WINWITHBLACKWOMEN
Harper's BAZAAR - US

This Is HOW YOU #WINWITHBLACKWOMEN

The BLACK WOMEN who organized the HISTORIC 44,000-person fundraising Zoom for KAMALA HARRIS explain how COMMUNITY, FRIENDSHIP, and a SHARED SENSE of UPLIFT got the job done

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2024
EMPIRE STATE OF MIND
Harper's BAZAAR - US

EMPIRE STATE OF MIND

Channel the boldness and dynamism of the city that never sleeps with the Twilight high jewelry suite by MARLI New York.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
PLAYLIST
Harper's BAZAAR - US

PLAYLIST

“I have a 10-HOUR PLAYLIST of all the songs that have ever INSPIRED me,” says SZA, “that over TIME have SHAPED me and played a part in BUILDING my IDENTITY.”

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024