The designer exits the Italian house after nearly four years as creative director
Etro has announced the conclusion of its collaboration with creative director Marco De Vincenzo after nearly four years. The decision, reached by mutual agreement, comes as the Milan-based house enters what it describes as a new strategic phase.
Appointed in 2022, De Vincenzo was tasked with overseeing Etro’s creative direction across women’s and menswear as well as the home category. During his tenure, he developed collections that sought to interpret and elevate the house’s distinctive identity codes, guiding the brand through a period of stylistic renewal while reinforcing its reputation for rich textiles, color, and decorative craft.
“Etro wishes to express its gratitude to Marco De Vincenzo for his dedication, professionalism, and creative contribution over the years, and extends its best wishes for his future projects,” the company said in a statement. “The maison now looks to the next developments with confidence, continuing its journey of enhancing its lifestyle identity and creative heritage, in continuity with the innovation and the values that have always distinguished it.”
De Vincenzo presented his first collection for Etro for Spring 2023 during Milan Women’s Fashion Week in September 2022. His approach sought to balance his own design sensibility—known for bold color, optical effects, and intricate embellishment—with the brand’s established visual language, including its signature paisley motif and travel-inspired patterns. His impact was particularly felt in accessories, where his background in leather goods—shaped in part through consulting work for Fendi—helped energize the category.
Founded in Milan in 1968 by Gerolamo Etro as a textile house, Etro has long been recognized for its elaborate fabrics and decorative prints. Over time the company expanded into ready-to-wear, accessories, and home collections, positioning itself as a lifestyle brand rooted in craftsmanship and cultural reference.
The leadership transition arrives amid broader shifts in the company’s ownership and strategic direction. Private equity firm L Catterton acquired a majority stake in Etro in 2021 in a deal valued at roughly €500 million for a 60 percent share. In December 2025, the Etro family sold its remaining minority stake to a group of investors including Turkish conglomerate Rams Global, Swinger International’s Mathias Facchini—also owner of the Genny brand—and SRI Group, marking the family’s full exit from the business.
Members of the founding family had already stepped back from operational roles shortly after L Catterton’s investment. Previously involved were siblings Veronica Etro, creative director of women’s collections; Kean Etro, who oversaw men’s design; Ippolito Etro, responsible for strategic management; and Jacopo Etro, who led the home division.
Since 2021 the company has been led by chief executive officer Fabrizio Cardinali, who joined from Dolce & Gabbana. Under his leadership, Etro has pursued a number of licensing agreements aimed at expanding the brand’s reach, including eyewear with Safilo, fragrances and home scents with Coty—marking the house’s first beauty license—and a children’s line produced with Simonetta.
Etro currently operates more than 160 stores across over 20 countries. As it looks ahead, the brand has indicated a growing emphasis on its broader lifestyle positioning, including residential projects linked to its home collections. Among them are Etro-designed interiors for the Tower Rams Beyond development in Istanbul and a residential project in Phuket developed with Amal Development and The One Atelier.
With De Vincenzo’s departure, Etro enters a new chapter as it continues to evolve its creative direction while expanding its lifestyle and global ambitions.