MILAN- Dolce & Gabbana on Monday morning appointed Stefano Cantino as co-chief executive officer of the Italian fashion company. In that role, he flanks Alfonso Dolce, chairman and CEO.

“I am pleased to have Stefano Cantino by my side in this new phase of growth and development of Dolce & Gabbana,” said Dolce, the brother of co-founder Domenico.

Prior to his CEO role at Gucci, which he exited in September last year, Cantino was a Louis Vuitton senior vice president of communications, recruited by then-chairman and CEO Michael Burke. Cantino’s scope on communications and events extended to retail touch points. Before that, he spent much of his 22-year career at Prada in various business development, merchandising and marketing roles, involved in everything from retail to industrial processes.

He is a graduate in political science from the University of Turin.

“It is an honor for me to join Dolce & Gabbana, a brand that represents Italian excellence around the world in such an extraordinary way,” said Cantino.

The appointment confirms widespread speculation that Cantino would join the company at a moment of transformation, after it was revealed last week that cofounder Stefano Gabbana had resigned from his positions at Dolce & Gabbana Holding Srl, Dolce & Gabbana Trademarks Srl and Dolce & Gabbana Srl effective Jan. 1, 2026. Gabbana maintains his “creative activities” within the group, said the company.