Special Guest
Domenico De Sole is chairman of Tom Ford International, former chairman of Sotheby’s, and former president and CEO of Gucci Group.
In 1986, De Sole became president of Gucci America, and from 1994 to 2004 served as president and CEO of Gucci Group NV, which he took public in 1995. Under his leadership, Gucci became one of the largest and most profitable multibrand luxury group with the acquisition of Yves St. Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga and more.
In 2005 he cofounded and became chairman of Tom Ford International. In 2023 the company was sold to Estee Lauder, it’s long term licensing partner.
In 2015, De Sole was appointed chairman of Sotheby’s and served in that role until the company was sold in 2019. He serves on the boards of Zegna S.p.A., and the American Academy of Rome.
De Sole is a past board member of Bausch and Lomb, Gap Inc, Delta Airlines, Procter & Gamble, Newell Brands, Conde Nast, Pirelli and Telecom Italia.
He also serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board of the Harvard Law School. In November 2023, De Sole received the CFDA’s Founder’s Award for his lifetime contribution to the fashion industry.
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