Mumbai, Jan. 28 -- Gucci and its parent company Kering announced on Saturday that Italian fashion designer Sabato De Sarno has been appointed the brand's next creative director. His debut collection will be shown at Milan Fashion Week in September of next year.

De Sarno previously held a position as fashion director at Valentino in 2009, where he headed both the men's and women's collections. He has also worked for Prada, and Dolce & Gabbana.

Rome-based De Sarno has become a fixture at the brand's events around the world but remains unknown to the fashion-consuming public. Kering, the firm that owns Gucci, is promoting a behind-the-scenes executive to oversee one of its brands in this move. Alessandro Michele, De Sarno's predecessor at ...