2025 Fashion Year in Review: Kering Shake-Up, Prada Buys Versace, Armani Dies

The year 2025 saw major upheavals in the fashion industry. Kering appointed Luca de Meo (ex-Renault) as CEO, triggering internal changes: Francesca Bellettini became CEO and President of Gucci, while Sabato De Sarno left as creative director in February, replaced by Demna from Balenciaga. Prada Group acquired Versace, ending Donatella Versace's creative direction and Dario Vitale's brief eight-month tenure; Lorenzo Bertelli was named executive president. A wave of creative director moves included Olivier Rousteing leaving Balmain after 14 years, Pierpaolo Piccioli to Balenciaga, Maria Grazia Chiuri to Fendi, Jonathan Anderson to Dior, and Matthieu Blazy to Chanel. Giorgio Armani died on September 4, 2025, marking the end of an era for Italian fashion. Matthieu Blazy's debut at Chanel was the most anticipated event, with his first two collections successfully modernizing the house's codes, reminiscent of Karl Lagerfeld's earlier transformation.