Italy’s Ferragamo Parts Ways with Former Burberry Chief Gobbetti

A view of Italian luxury fashion house Salvatore Ferragamo's logo at a store in Milan, Italy, March 6, 2024. (Reuters)
A view of Italian luxury fashion house Salvatore Ferragamo's logo at a store in Milan, Italy, March 6, 2024. (Reuters)
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Italy’s Ferragamo Parts Ways with Former Burberry Chief Gobbetti

A view of Italian luxury fashion house Salvatore Ferragamo's logo at a store in Milan, Italy, March 6, 2024. (Reuters)
A view of Italian luxury fashion house Salvatore Ferragamo's logo at a store in Milan, Italy, March 6, 2024. (Reuters)

Italian luxury goods group Salvatore Ferragamo said CEO Marco Gobbetti would step down next month after little over three years in charge.

The company has started looking for a new chief executive, it said in a statement on Monday. Chairman Leonardo Ferragamo will take on executive powers, with help from an advisory committee, once Gobbetti leaves on March 6 and until his replacement is found.

Ferragamo brought board former Burberry chief Gobbetti on board at the start of 2022 as the Florentine group grappled with the damage wrought from the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit it harder than rivals.

The revamp, however, has proven difficult, leaving the Ferragamo group battling a slide in sales as luxury demand globally cools down, especially in Asia.

A year ago, after reporting an 8% drop in sales for 2023, Gobbetti warned that hitting turnaround goals could take longer than anticipated.

In October, Gobbetti guided for a 2024 operating profit at the low end of analyst estimates, after revenues fell 7.2% at constant currencies in the third quarter.



Fashion Commission Celebrates Winners of 'Traditional Handcrafts Revival in Saudi Fashion' Competition

The competition reinforces the Kingdom's cultural identity on the global fashion stage and highlights the potential of Saudi craftsmanship to inspire innovation in modern design. (SPA)
The competition reinforces the Kingdom's cultural identity on the global fashion stage and highlights the potential of Saudi craftsmanship to inspire innovation in modern design. (SPA)
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Fashion Commission Celebrates Winners of 'Traditional Handcrafts Revival in Saudi Fashion' Competition

The competition reinforces the Kingdom's cultural identity on the global fashion stage and highlights the potential of Saudi craftsmanship to inspire innovation in modern design. (SPA)
The competition reinforces the Kingdom's cultural identity on the global fashion stage and highlights the potential of Saudi craftsmanship to inspire innovation in modern design. (SPA)

The Saudi Fashion Commission concluded its "Traditional Handcrafts Revival in Saudi Fashion" initiative with a special awards ceremony in Riyadh on Sunday.

The initiative aligns with the Ministry of Culture’s Year of Handicrafts 2025 vision to promote traditional handcrafts by highlighting Saudi traditional attire, celebrating the Kingdom's rich cultural heritage, and supporting local creative talents.

The competition aimed to integrate traditional handcraft techniques into contemporary fashion, creating a bridge between the past and present. Participants engaged in specialized workshops led by fashion experts, exploring ways to merge traditional craftsmanship with modern design principles.

The program provided a holistic experience, teaching not only the techniques of handcrafts but also deepening participants' understanding of their historical and cultural significance.

A total of 235 applicants competed in the initiative, with 25 finalists selected for the final stage. The winning designs were showcased during the Saudi Cup 2025, coinciding with Founding Day celebrations. A distinguished panel of judges, comprising leading figures in fashion, arts, and heritage, selected the top ten designs.

The competition reinforces the Kingdom's cultural identity on the global fashion stage and highlights the potential of Saudi craftsmanship to inspire innovation in modern design.