In a move that signals both continuity and transformation for one of Italy’s most storied fashion houses, the Giorgio Armani Group has named longtime executive Giuseppe Marsocci as its new chief executive officer. The announcement, made on October 16, 2025, comes just weeks after the passing of founder Giorgio Armani, who died in September at the age of 91. The transition marks a pivotal chapter for the luxury brand, which has maintained a fiercely independent identity in the global fashion industry for five decades.
Marsocci, 61, is hardly a newcomer to the Armani universe. With 23 years of experience at the company, he has held a range of senior roles, most recently serving as deputy managing director and global chief commercial officer. According to the Associated Press, Marsocci has been instrumental in shaping Armani’s global strategy, working closely with the late founder and navigating the brand’s expansion both in Italy and abroad. His appointment, effective immediately, was unanimously proposed by the Giorgio Armani Foundation, the succession vehicle established in 2016 to safeguard the brand’s future.
The leadership shuffle comes at a crucial juncture. Armani, known for his meticulous control over the business, left behind a detailed succession plan designed to preserve the brand’s legacy while adapting to a rapidly changing luxury market. As outlined in his will, control of the business is now divided among longtime collaborator and head of menswear Leo Dell’Orco (40%), niece and head of womenswear Silvana Armani (15%), nephew Andrea Camerana (15%), and the Armani Foundation (30%). The Foundation, now chaired by Dell’Orco, also holds significant voting power and played a central role in Marsocci’s elevation to CEO.
“His international professional experience, deep knowledge of the sector and the company, discretion, loyalty, and team spirit, together with his closeness to Mr. Armani in recent years, make Giuseppe the most natural choice to ensure continuity with the path outlined by the founder,” said Dell’Orco, as reported by Reuters. The sentiment was echoed by the Armani Group itself, which described Marsocci’s appointment as “an important confirmation of the united will of the Armani family to continue the project that Giorgio Armani has built and sustained for 50 years.”
Silvana Armani, the founder’s niece and head of women’s style, has been named vice president, further underscoring the family’s ongoing influence in the company’s affairs. Marsocci will report to the board of directors, chaired by Dell’Orco, and is expected to guide the group through a period of both reflection and innovation.
One of Marsocci’s first major tasks is to oversee the planned sale of a 15% minority stake in the company. As stipulated in Giorgio Armani’s will, the sale cannot take place before one year and must occur within 18 months of his death. Preference is to be given to industry giants such as French luxury conglomerate LVMH, eyewear leader EssilorLuxottica, or cosmetics powerhouse L’Oreal. The move is widely seen as a strategic effort to reinforce Armani’s global positioning while ensuring that any new partners share the brand’s values and vision. According to Business of Fashion, the founder’s instructions were clear: the brand’s independence and identity must be preserved, even as it opens its doors—albeit slightly—to outside investors.
For Marsocci, the new role is as much about stewardship as it is about strategy. In his first statement as CEO, he pledged, “We will do everything to perpetuate the (Giorgio Armani) business model and his idea of beauty, and we will carry it forward with consistency and sensitivity, taking into account the values and expectations of a changing world.” The quote, reported across multiple outlets, encapsulates the delicate balancing act facing the new leadership: maintaining Armani’s signature style and ethos while responding to shifting consumer tastes and the evolving landscape of global luxury.
The appointment comes amid intensifying competition in the luxury sector, with rivals such as LVMH, Kering, and the Agnelli family’s Exor all expanding their influence through acquisitions and partnerships. Giorgio Armani’s steadfast refusal to sell or cede control during his lifetime set the brand apart, but the current leadership acknowledges that adaptation is now essential. As Reuters notes, Marsocci’s international experience and close working relationship with the late founder make him uniquely qualified to navigate this transition.
Industry observers are watching closely to see whether Marsocci and the new board can uphold Armani’s legacy while charting a course for growth. The brand’s structure, with its blend of family oversight and foundation stewardship, is designed to provide stability. Yet, the planned minority stake sale introduces a new dynamic—one that could bring fresh capital and strategic partnerships, but also demands careful management to avoid diluting the brand’s identity.
Leo Dell’Orco, who now chairs both the board and the Armani Foundation, has been a key figure in the company for decades. His dual roles give him significant influence, controlling 40% of the group’s voting rights personally and another 30% through the Foundation. Silvana Armani’s appointment as vice president ensures that the founder’s family remains at the heart of decision-making, even as the group opens itself to new possibilities.
The succession plan, years in the making, reflects Giorgio Armani’s desire for an orderly transition. By specifying both the timing and the preferred partners for the minority stake sale, Armani sought to protect the brand from hostile takeovers or abrupt strategic shifts. The Foundation’s central role is intended to act as a bulwark against external pressures, preserving the founder’s vision for generations to come.
Marsocci’s challenge is formidable. The luxury fashion market is evolving at breakneck speed, with digital transformation, sustainability concerns, and shifting consumer demographics all demanding attention. Yet, the new CEO appears undaunted. Drawing on more than two decades of experience inside Armani, he is expected to emphasize continuity, innovation, and a nuanced understanding of the brand’s DNA.
As the fashion world reflects on the legacy of Giorgio Armani—a designer who redefined elegance and built a global powerhouse from scratch—the focus now shifts to Marsocci and the team tasked with writing the next chapter. The coming months will test their ability to honor the past while embracing the future, all under the watchful eyes of the industry, investors, and loyal customers alike.
With the transition now officially underway, the Armani Group stands at a crossroads, blending tradition with transformation as it steps boldly into a new era.
