Gucci Opens Milan Fashion Week with De Sarno’s Dressy Looks for Men

 A model walks the runway at the Gucci collection show during the Milan Fashion Week Menswear Autumn/Winter 2024/2025 on January 12, 2024 in Milan. (AFP)
A model walks the runway at the Gucci collection show during the Milan Fashion Week Menswear Autumn/Winter 2024/2025 on January 12, 2024 in Milan. (AFP)
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Gucci Opens Milan Fashion Week with De Sarno’s Dressy Looks for Men

 A model walks the runway at the Gucci collection show during the Milan Fashion Week Menswear Autumn/Winter 2024/2025 on January 12, 2024 in Milan. (AFP)
A model walks the runway at the Gucci collection show during the Milan Fashion Week Menswear Autumn/Winter 2024/2025 on January 12, 2024 in Milan. (AFP)

Gucci creative director Sabato De Sarno kicked off Milan Fashion Week on Friday with a lineup of refined tailoring for men, adding touches of sparkle to a somber color palette for his aesthetic reset of the Kering-owned label.

Models strode down a sparse, concrete runway on chunky-soled loafers, parading floor-sweeping overcoats with long slits up the back, double-breasted suit jackets stripped of buttons and trousers cut above the ankles.

Accessories included shiny Jackie handbags in burgundy, beige or pea green -- often clutched with matching gloves -- and chunky jewellery worn over bare chests.

De Sarno's second catwalk outing comes as products from his debut collection, presented in September, begin to fill stores, marking the label's turn into pared-down, polished looks, a departure from the flamboyant styles of previous designer Alessandro Michele.

Show notes signed by the designer mentioned real life, irreverent glamour and simplicity.

De Sarno's styles hit the red carpet earlier this week, including a shimmery, floor-length gown in bright green worn by Taylor Swift at the Golden Globe Awards.

The style reset serves as the foundation of turnaround efforts overseen by longtime Kering executive Jean-Francois Palus, who has stepped in as Gucci chief executive officer.

Gucci's outing marked the first of dozens of shows and events taking place in the Italian fashion capital through Jan. 16, including from top names like Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada and Giorgio Armani.

It comes as the luxury industry faces slowing demand for high-end fashion due to rising costs of living, with shares of Burberry dropping sharply on Friday after the British company, which is also undergoing a brand overhaul, lowered guidance for the second time in three months.



UK's JD Sports Warns on Profit in 'Challenging' Market

A logo is seen outside the newly renovated JD Sports store at Westfield Stratford City in London, Britain, July 30, 2024. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo
A logo is seen outside the newly renovated JD Sports store at Westfield Stratford City in London, Britain, July 30, 2024. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo
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UK's JD Sports Warns on Profit in 'Challenging' Market

A logo is seen outside the newly renovated JD Sports store at Westfield Stratford City in London, Britain, July 30, 2024. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo
A logo is seen outside the newly renovated JD Sports store at Westfield Stratford City in London, Britain, July 30, 2024. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo

British sportswear retailer JD Sports Fashion downgraded its profit forecast after weaker trading in Britain and the United States and promotional activity at competitors hurt sales, and it warned the outlook was "cautious".
Shares in JD plunged 12% in early deals to a near five-year low of 84 pence, Reuters reported.
JD Sports, which has over 4,500 stores globally, said underlying revenue fell 1.5% in November and December in what it called a "challenging and volatile market".
It cut its profit forecast by as much as 40 million pounds ($48.9 million), or 4%.
The stock had already lost 27% of its value in the last three months on worries about consumer spending and amid a downturn in demand for Nike products, which account for about 45% of JD's sales.
"Market headwinds were higher than we anticipated," Chief Executive Régis Schultz said in a statement on Tuesday. "With these trading conditions expected to continue, we are taking a cautious view of the new financial year."
Peel Hunt analysts said JD's strategy of not discounting to match competitors was the right one.
"The long-term strategy is correct, and JD will continue to lead the market, but we must rein in short-term hopes," they said, adding that JD will benefit from any recovery at Nike.
Nike has warned its turnaround will be a slog after it lost ground in recent years to rivals, including Roger Federer-backed On and Deckers' Hoka, which have lured consumers with fresher and more innovative styles.
JD said while trading during December was stronger, November dragged, and for the 12 months to the beginning of February it expected pretax profit before adjusted items to come in between 915 million and 935 million pounds.
Its previous lower end of guidance had been 955 million pounds. It made 917.2 million pounds in its 2023/24 year.