Stefano Gabbana has resigned as chairman of Dolce & Gabbana, the eponymous luxury fashion house he co-founded, a development confirmed in December by an Italian corporate filing, according to a report from The Star.

The departure of one of the brand’s two creative figureheads from a key leadership position marks a significant moment for the Milanese maison. The move precedes a new round of debt negotiations with the company's creditors. Concurrent with his resignation, Mr. Gabbana is reportedly considering options for his substantial stake in the company. Alfonso Dolce, the brother of co-founder Domenico Dolce and the company's current Chief Executive Officer, assumed the role of chairman in January, signaling an immediate shift in the brand's corporate governance structure.

What We Know So Far

  • Stefano Gabbana, 63, officially stepped down as chairman of Dolce & Gabbana in December, a fact substantiated by an Italian corporate filing, as reported by The Star.
  • Alfonso Dolce, who currently serves as the CEO of the company and is the brother of co-founder Domenico Dolce, was appointed as the new chairman in January, according to the same report.
  • The company is reportedly entering a new round of debt talks with its lenders, who are seeking a fresh capital injection of up to €150 million, according to people familiar with the matter cited by The Star.
  • This requested funding is part of a larger refinancing effort concerning €450 million of debt currently held by the fashion house.
  • Mr. Gabbana, who holds an approximate 40% stake in the company, is reportedly considering alternative options for his holding ahead of these financial negotiations.

Details of the Leadership Transition at Dolce & Gabbana

The change in leadership at the highest level of Dolce & Gabbana's corporate structure was executed with formal precision. The resignation of Stefano Gabbana from the chairman's seat was recorded in an official Italian corporate filing dated in December. This procedural step formalizes the exit of a co-founder who, alongside Domenico Dolce, has been the public face and creative engine of the brand since its inception in 1985. For decades, the duo has maintained a singular and consistent vision for the house, making this executive separation a notable event in the brand’s history.