Italian luxury fashion house Dolce & Gabbana has appointed Stefano Cantino as co-CEO, joining Alfonso Dolce — brother of co-founder Domenico Dolce — who has served as both CEO and chairman since Stefano Gabbana stepped down from the chairmanship in January. The announcement marks a significant leadership shift for the Milan-based brand as it navigates a turbulent period in the global luxury sector.
A Seasoned Executive With Deep Luxury Roots
Cantino brings decades of high-fashion experience to the role. Before his brief tenure as CEO of Gucci in early 2025 — a position he held for just nine months before being replaced by Francesca Bellettini amid a Kering management overhaul — he spent five years at LVMH-owned Louis Vuitton as head of image and communications. Prior to that, he devoted two decades to the Prada Group, eventually rising to director of communications and marketing. His career reflects a strong background in brand strategy and luxury positioning.
A Brand Under Pressure
The appointment comes at a critical moment for Dolce & Gabbana. The house posted a net loss of €143 million ($167 million) in its 2024–2025 fiscal year, weighed down by a prolonged slump in global luxury consumer demand. The brand also faces an urgent debt refinancing challenge. Amid these pressures, Dolce & Gabbana is actively repositioning itself — evolving, in its own words, “from a fashion brand to a lifestyle company.” Designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, who founded the brand in 1985, remain involved creatively, with Gabbana retaining his design responsibilities despite stepping back from governance.