Stefano Gabbana, co-founder of Dolce & Gabbana, has stepped down as chairman of the Italian label he helped build into a global luxury powerhouse.
The company confirmed the move on Friday, revealing that Gabbana had quietly resigned in December 2025 – a shift that only surfaced this week through Italian corporate filings.
Gabbana, 63, exited roles across three key entities tied to the business, marking a significant change in the brand’s governance structure. The company framed the decision as “a natural evolution,” adding that he will remain actively involved on the creative side alongside co-founder Domenico Dolce.
In a notable consolidation of power, Alfonso Dolce – Domenico Dolce’s brother and long-time chief executive – has taken on the additional role of chairman. It’s the first time both positions have been held by a single figure, tightening the Dolce family’s grip on the business at a pivotal moment.
Despite the boardroom reshuffle, the brand’s aesthetic is unlikely to shift anytime soon. Gabbana’s continued creative involvement ensures continuity for a design language built on maximalism, Sicilian heritage, and sharply tailored Mediterranean glamour.
But the timing is telling.
Dolce & Gabbana has long stood apart from rivals by remaining independent, resisting the pull of luxury conglomerates that dominate much of the industry. That independence, once a defining strength, is now being tested as the company navigates a refinancing process that could reshape its future.
Exactly how that future looks – and whether outside investors enter the picture – remains to be seen. What is clear is that this is less an exit than a regeneration: a shift in power behind the scenes, while the creative engine stays firmly in place.
