Alessandro Michele has been appointed creative director of Gucci.

Alessandro joined Gucci's design office in 2002. He was promoted to associate creative director in 2011, and since September 2014 has also served as creative director of the company's porcelain brand, Richard Ginori.

Following the departure of Frida Giannini, the previous creative director at Gucci, Alessandro will take over as creative director. His first collection is scheduled to be unveiled at the 2015-16 Autumn/Winter women's collection in Milan on February 25th. "We highly value Michele's contemporary vision for the future of Gucci," said President and CEO Marco Bizzarri. "Alessandro's exceptional talent and deep familiarity with the company and design team will enable us to implement his new creative direction quickly and smoothly." Kering Chairman and CEO Francois-Henri Pinault added, "Alessandro Michele has the necessary qualifications and vision to bring an even more contemporary outlook to Gucci and lead the brand into an exciting new chapter in its history."