In a notable development within the fashion industry, Francesco Risso is concluding his tenure as the creative director of Marni, a position he has held for ten years, as announced by the OTB Group. The departure marks another instance of high-profile transitions among creative leaders in fashion.
Renzo Rosso, the chairman of OTB, praised Risso as “a unique designer and an artist at heart,” extending his best wishes for Risso’s future endeavors. However, the announcement did not specify when Risso’s successor would be unveiled.
This change aligns with a recent wave of reshuffles affecting creative directors across several prestigious fashion houses, including Gucci, Chanel, and Balenciaga. Additionally, the relatively niche OTB Group, which is headquartered in Italy’s Veneto region and is under the leadership of Diesel founder Renzo Rosso, is also experiencing similar transitions.
Within the OTB group’s assortment of brands, Simone Bellotti took the reins as the creative director of Jil Sander this past June, succeeding Lucie and Luke Meier. Meanwhile, Glenn Martens succeeded John Galliano as the creative leader at Maison Margiela.
Throughout his decade at Marni, Risso became known for capturing the brand’s whimsical spirit through the use of surreal sculptural designs and artistic partnerships. His approach frequently included brand signature elements like fur accents and floral designs. Risso’s fashion shows became known for their deviation from typical runway norms, featuring elaborate set designs. For example, he once orchestrated an event where guests, personal friends of the brand, donned personalized garments at a banquet table.
OTB has acknowledged Risso’s significant contributions, noting his bold creative evolution that revitalized Marni’s womenswear, expanded its menswear collection, and was distinguished by “immersive shows and experiences.”
The company highlighted Risso’s “instinctive approach to emotional storytelling,” which brought a heightened sensitivity to the label and encouraged a breadth of artistic collaborations, thereby introducing the brand to new cultural contexts.
Reflecting on his time with Marni, Risso expressed gratitude for the learning experiences, stating, “Working at Marni taught me how to build with feeling and how powerful true collaboration can be.” In his words of thanks to the Marni team, he hinted at more “extraordinary journeys” ahead, though he did not disclose his forthcoming plans.