On April 13, Italian luxury house Dolce & Gabbana announced the appointment of Stefano Cantino as Co-Chief Executive Officer as part of a broader reorganization of its leadership structure. He will work alongside Alfonso Dolce, marking a strengthened management framework aimed at driving the brand into its next phase of growth.
This move follows the decision by co-founder Stefano Gabbana to step down from his role as Chairman and other management positions, effective January 2026. While stepping away from executive duties, Gabbana will continue to be involved in the brand’s creative direction.
In a company statement, Dolce & Gabbana said: “As part of a natural evolution of its organisational structure and governance, Stefano Gabbana has tendered his resignation, effective as of 1 January 2026, from his positions within Dolce & Gabbana Holding Srl, Dolce & Gabbana Trademarks Srl, and Dolce & Gabbana Srl.”
The company added: “These resignations have no impact whatsoever on the creative activities carried out by Stefano Gabbana on behalf of the group.”
Strengthening the Structure for a Lifestyle Transition
The company positioned Cantino’s appointment as part of a broader strategy, stating that it “follows Dolce & Gabbana’s growth trajectory, driven by the evolution of its organisational model from a fashion brand to a lifestyle company.”
Alfonso Dolce commented: “I am delighted to have Stefano Cantino by my side in this new phase of growth and development of Dolce & Gabbana.”
Currently serving as both CEO and Chairman, Alfonso Dolce now consolidates leadership at the core of the organization, further clarifying the company’s executive structure.
Challenging Market Conditions and Financial Pressures
The restructuring also comes amid a difficult external environment. As the global luxury market faces a slowdown, Dolce & Gabbana is reportedly engaged in ongoing negotiations with banks regarding debt refinancing.
Financially, the company recorded a net loss of €143 million (approximately $167 million) for the fiscal year 2024–2025, underscoring the urgency of strategic and operational adjustments.
Cantino’s Background and Strategic Significance
Cantino most recently served as CEO of Gucci, where he initially joined as Deputy CEO in 2024 and was promoted to CEO in 2025, before stepping down within a short period as part of a broader leadership overhaul.
Prior to Gucci, he spent five years at Louis Vuitton overseeing image and communications, and two decades at Prada Group, where he held senior roles across marketing and communications, ultimately serving as Director of Communications and Marketing.
With deep expertise in brand building and communication strategy within the luxury sector, Cantino’s appointment signals a deliberate move toward redefining Dolce & Gabbana’s positioning.
Since its founding in 1985, the brand has been largely driven by its designers. As it now expands into a broader lifestyle proposition, this leadership shift reflects a clear separation between founder-led creative direction and professionally managed business operations—marking a pivotal moment in its organizational evolution.
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