Stefano Gabbana Steps Down as Chairman of Dolce and Gabbana Amid Company Debt Concerns
Stefano Gabbana, co-founder of the illustrious fashion house Dolce & Gabbana, has announced his decision to step down as chairman after nearly 40 years in the role. The 63-year-old designer revealed that while he will resign from his position, he will continue to shape the brand’s creative direction.
On April 10, Gabbana’s resignation was confirmed, with the company stating that it is effective January 1, 2026. In an official announcement, the Dolce & Gabbana Group mentioned, “As part of a natural evolution of its organizational structure and governance, Stefano Gabbana has tendered his resignation from his positions within Dolce & Gabbana Holding Srl, Dolce & Gabbana Trademarks Srl, and Dolce & Gabbana Srl.”
Furthermore, a spokesperson emphasized that Gabbana’s departure will not affect his creative contributions to the company. Currently, his brother, Alfonso Dolce, serves as CEO and took over the chairmanship role in January.
Dolce & Gabbana has a robust presence on social media, boasting over 30 million followers on Instagram as it continues to diversify its offerings in high-end fashion, including clothing, accessories, and cosmetics. Recent reports have surfaced suggesting Gabbana may consider divesting from his significant 40 percent stake in the company. Meanwhile, the luxury fashion house’s lenders are engaged in discussions regarding $175 million in new funding, part of a broader refinancing strategy aimed at addressing the company’s total debt of $525.7 million, as reported by Bloomberg.
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In light of the company’s financial restructuring, executives are reportedly exploring options to offload real estate and renegotiate licenses to generate funds. “With regard to the debt position, the group has no statement to make at this time, as negotiations with the banks are still ongoing,” the company remarked in its statement.
Gabbana was recently in attendance at a D&G fashion show in February, where notable celebrities, including Madonna, were spotted in the front row. The luxury label frequently attracts A-list appearances at its runway events; for instance, Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci surprised attendees by embodying their iconic characters from The Devil Wears Prada at the September 2025 show.
