For more updates about the The BoF 500 subscribe to the Daily Digest newsletter

For more updates about the The BoF 500 subscribe to the Daily Digest newsletter

{alt missing} Antonio Putini

Marco Bizzarri

Outgoing President and Chief Executive, Gucci

The executive has led the Italian fashion house into the strongest period of financial growth and critical success it has seen in 20 years.

Biography

Marco Bizzarri is Gucci’s outgoing president and chief executive. After he took up the role in January 2015, one his first strategic decisions was appointing  Alessandro Michele as creative director of the Italian fashion house. Under Bizzarri’s leadership, Michele’s new vision for Gucci has focused on establishing a more contemporary attitude for the house — which was met with immediate critical acclaim. In 2018, the house reported an “exceptional [financial] performance across the board,” with a first half revenue increase of 44 percent, and unveiled a plan to hit the €10 billion revenue threshold in the coming years.

Highly respected throughout the industry as both a manager of talent and an astute business brain, Bizzarri has played an increasingly integral role at Kering over the past decade. Before his Gucci appointment, Bizzarri served as the chief executive of Kering’s Luxury Couture & Leather Goods division. The Italian executive first joined the group in January 2005, when he was appointed president and chief executive of Stella McCartney . At the brand, Bizzarri presided over worldwide strategic development, expanding the label into a comprehensive lifestyle offering. In January 2009 he took on a new role as president and chief executive of Bottega Veneta. During Bizzarri’s tenure, Bottega Veneta’s revenues grew from €400 million in 2008 to €1.13 billion in 2014.

Bizzarri became a member of the executive committee of Kering in 2012; the following year he was selected to be a non-voting director of the Kering board of directors, before being appointed the chief executive of its Luxury Couture & Leather Goods division in April 2014. "In a pivotal new role for Kering, Marco Bizzarri will start to influence and shape the brands for years to come," said Jonathan Akeroyd , then-chief executive of Kering-owned Alexander McQueen . As Luxury Couture & Leather Goods chief executive, Bizzarri oversaw the chief executives of Kering brands Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Brioni, Christopher Kane , Stella McCartney, Tomas Maier and Sergio Rossi.

Since his move to Gucci’s helm, the Italian label has entered a new chapter in its illustrious history. His orchestration of the brand’s turnaround capitalises on the “buzz” around Michele’s creative efforts building long-term brand desire and engagement, reducing inventory levels and upgrading the consumer experience. This also informed a decision not to markdown any of Michele’s collections. The chief executive told BoF, “The idea is to give longevity and sustainability… and also not to disappoint the customer, who might buy the item at full price and then, after two months, if it’s marked down, [would not be happy].”

In July 2023, it was announced that Bizzarri will be stepping down from the helm of Gucci. 

Previously Bizzarri worked at Marithé & François Girbaud in Paris, where he was general manager, having joined from the same role at the Mandarina Duck Group. Bizzarri started his career as a consultant at Accenture. In 2016 he won the inaugural International Business Leader accolade at the British Fashion Council ’s relaunched The Fashion Awards. That same evening, Gucci secured a second win with Michele taking home the International Accessories Designer award. In 2017 he was awarded the International Business Leader Award at the Fashion Awards, and in December 2017 Bizzarri was awarded the Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur.

Career

Gucci

Gucci

Chief Executive Officer

2015 - Present

Milan, Italy

Bottega Veneta

Bottega Veneta

Chief Executive

2009 - 2015

Vicenza, Italy

Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney

2005 - 2009

London, United Kingdom

Marithé + François Girbaud

Marithé + François Girbaud

2004 - 2005

Paris, France

Vital Statistics

Born
1962
Nationality

Italy

Location
Italy
Member since
2013

Similar Profiles

Domenico De Sole

Chairman, Tom Ford International

Tom Ford

Creative Director, Tom Ford & Chairman, CFDA

Patrizio di Marco

Former Chief Executive, Gucci; Board Member, Dolce and Gabbana

Sebastian Manes

Former Buying & Merchandising Director, Selfridges


What is The BoF 500?

The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.