Italian luxury fashion house Dolce & Gabbana has appointed former Gucci executive Stefano Cantino as co-Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant leadership shift as the company navigates a challenging period for the global luxury sector.
In a statement released on Monday, the privately held firm said Cantino will work alongside current CEO and Chairman Alfonso Dolce, in a move designed to strengthen its management structure and support its transition into a broader lifestyle company.
The appointment comes months after co-founder Stefano Gabbana stepped down as chairman in December, although he retains his role in overseeing the brand’s creative direction.
What they are saying
Alfonso Dolce, who assumed the additional role of chairman earlier this year, described Cantino’s appointment as timely, noting that the company is entering a new phase of growth and organisational evolution.
- According to the company, the leadership change reflects a strategic shift from being solely a fashion label to building a diversified lifestyle business spanning multiple consumer segments.
- Cantino brings extensive industry experience to the role, having previously held senior positions at both Gucci and Prada.
His appointment is expected to bolster Dolce & Gabbana’s operational and strategic capabilities at a time when luxury brands are grappling with slowing demand and macroeconomic uncertainty.
Brief profile on Stefano Cantino
Before joining Dolce & Gabbana, Cantino held top executive roles at Gucci, one of the flagship brands under French luxury group Kering.
He was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Guccio Gucci SpA in January 2025, a position he held until September 2025. During his tenure, he was responsible for overseeing brand strategy, operations, and navigating a complex global luxury market environment.
Prior to becoming CEO, Cantino served as Deputy CEO of Gucci from May 2024 to January 2025, where he played a key role in supporting the company’s leadership transition and operational management.
His rapid rise within the organisation underscored his reputation as a seasoned executive with strong strategic and managerial capabilities in the high-end fashion sector.
Cantino’s earlier career also includes experience at Italian luxury house Prada, further strengthening his credentials within the global luxury ecosystem.
He holds a degree from the University of Turin, one of Italy’s prominent academic institutions.
What you should know
The leadership reshuffle comes as the company faces mounting financial pressures.
Dolce & Gabbana is currently in discussions with creditors over a potential refinancing plan, amid reports that lenders are seeking a fresh capital injection of up to €150 million as part of a broader effort to restructure approximately €450 million in debt.
- Sources familiar with the matter indicate that the company is exploring options, including the sale of real estate assets and renewal of licensing agreements, to raise funds.
- The financial strain reflects broader headwinds in the luxury industry, which has experienced a prolonged slowdown in key markets. Recent geopolitical tensions, including instability linked to the Iran conflict, have further dampened consumer sentiment and impacted global demand for high-end goods.
- Stefano Gabbana, who co-founded the brand alongside Domenico Dolce in 1985, is also reportedly reviewing options for his roughly 40% stake in the business. Despite stepping back from his governance role, the company has emphasized that his exit as chairman will not affect his involvement in creative operations.
Dolce & Gabbana rose to global prominence in the late 1980s and 1990s, becoming synonymous with bold, Mediterranean-inspired designs.
Today, the brand remains one of the most recognisable names in luxury fashion, though like many of its peers, it is now under pressure to adapt to shifting consumer preferences and a more complex economic environment.
