The low-profile CEO reportedly resigned from his position even though the brand grew in annual sales last year.
The chief operating officer of Maison Margiela, Gianfranco Gianangeli (who was appointed in the mid-2020s) will be stepping down from his position in the coming weeks, according to WWD. It is also said that Italian fashion group OTB, the mother company of Maison Margiela, has already chosen a candidate to be the new CEO of the late Martin Margiela’s eponymous brand.
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Gianangeli takes a page out of Margiela’s book when it comes to media presence. The founder of the French fashion house was not a fan of having his picture taken by the press and appearing in interviews, and neither is Gianangeli. Both of them have kept a low profile during their careers—Margiela was even branded as fashion’s invisible man due to his strict privacy policies.
There are yet to be any clear future steps for Gianangeli, but he has his years of experience in the fashion industry to bank on. Before becoming Maison Margiela’s CEO, Giangeli was the global retail director of Givenchy, associate international director of Prada, and held multiple merchandising positions at Bottega Veneta. He also gained the attention of notable fashion companies due to the successful revitalization of his family’s high-end knitwear factory.
The former CEO’s departure follows the company’s sales growth from the last year. In 2022, it was reported that Maison Margiela helped its mother company, OTB, grow in revenue with a 24% increase in annual sales. The French fashion house’s success can be attributed to Gianangeli’s leadership, as well as the talents of its creative director, John Galiano—both of whom are leaving a great legacy within the company.
Banner photo via Instagram @maisonmargiela.
