Stefano Gabbana, Co-founder and Creative Director of Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana, has stepped down as Chairman. Reports mention that this step was taken in January 2026. Alfonso Dolce, brother of Co‑founder Domenico Dolce and current CEO of the company, was appointed as the new chair.
The news has come as a shock to the fashion-forward crowd, who cannot imagine the house without the two forces behind it. However, this news doesn’t mean that Stefano Gabbana is leaving the maison, he will continue working as a designer for the house.
“The Dolce & Gabbana Group confirms that Stefano Gabbana has tendered his resignation, effective as of 1 January 2026, from his positions within Dolce & Gabbana Holding Srl, Dolce & Gabbana Trademarks Srl, and Dolce & Gabbana Srl,” The company reportedly said in a statement. “These resignations have no impact whatsoever on the creative activities carried out by Stefano Gabbana on behalf of the group.”
So it’s not a complete end for the pair, just a restructuring. Reports mention that the company is in approximately $525.7 million in debt, and the move is probably Gabbana’s way of navigating it. While the company continues to work on raising funds, time will tell if this change will impact the D&G creative force.
