Just six months ago, one of Paris' hottest emerging designers, Ludovic De Saint Sernin, was appointed creative director of Ann Demeulemeester. This March, his first Fall 23 collection for the House debuted on the Paris Fashion Week schedule, but just months after the introduction of Sernin's creative vision for the House, it was announced that the designer would step down from the role. Now, as of Thursday June 1, 2023, Ann Demeulemeester has appointed Stefano Gallici, who works in House at the menswear studio, as its new creative director.
De Saint Sernin's exit after a single season was reportedly due to a difference in "visions", between the designer and Demeulemeester’s owner Claudio Antonioli, a statement from both parties noted. De Saint Sernin will return to his beloved namesake label, despite BOF reporting that after his impactful first show, influential stockists like MyTheresa renewed their engagement with the brand. His first and only season saw the designer mirror both opening and closing looks with black and white versions of long, bias cut silk skirts with feather bralettes. There was sleek tailoring that referenced the brand archives and models trailing down the runway in long swathes of silk, only their hands cupping their breasts, a silhouette that still lingers in the mind months later.
Born in 1996, Gallici studied at the IUAV in Venice and began his career in Antwerp. He joined the luxury Belgian fashion house in 2020, when the brand was acquired by the Antonioli Group. According to the brand's post on Instagram, he has since played a key role in the development of the brand.
“Stefano immediately demonstrated a strong creativity and a clear vision for Ann Demeulemeester. He represents the DNA of the brand with an eye to the future.” Antonioli said in the same statement.
His first collection and fashion show as Creative Director will be revealed on the 30th September in Paris.
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