Davide Renne, the accomplished Italian fashion designer and former head of women’s wear at Gucci, passed away at the age of 46, just nine days after taking on the role of creative director at Moschino. The sad news was confirmed by Aeffe, the parent group of Moschino, revealing that he succumbed to an apparent heart attack in Milan on November 10, as disclosed by sources close to the situation.
Expressing the profound grief felt by the fashion community, Massimo Ferretti, the Chairman of Aeffe, stated, “There are no words to describe the pain we are experiencing at this dramatic time. Today, we are left with the responsibility of carrying on what his imagination and creativity only envisioned.”
Davide Renne (Credits: PEOPLE)
Having devoted two decades to Gucci, Mr. Renne, highly regarded in Italian fashion circles and a close collaborator of former Gucci designer Alessandro Michele, was diligently working on his inaugural collection slated for debut at Milan Fashion Week in February. The announcement of his new position at Moschino had filled him with excitement as he referred to it as a “dream role” at the helm of one of Italy’s most renowned fashion houses.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Alessandro Michele paid tribute to his “sweet friend, inseparable brother,” reminiscing about their remarkable journey together filled with laughter and pure joy. He described Mr. Renne as “one of the most talented creatives I’ve ever known” and expressed his deep sorrow at the loss.
Franco Moschino, the founder of the brand known for its whimsical and tongue-in-cheek humor in design, established a legacy that Mr. Renne was eager to explore. Taking over from American designer Jeremy Scott, Mr. Renne embraced the challenge with enthusiasm, citing Moschino’s design studio as “the playroom” and emphasizing the importance of infusing fashion, especially Italian fashion, with a sense of play and joy. In his words at the time of his appointment, “Thank you for giving me the keys to the playroom. I can’t wait to begin.”
