ICICLE APPOINTS SABATO DE SARNO AS CREATIVE DIRECTOR

7 September 2026, Paris and Shanghai

ICICLE is pleased to announce the appointment of Sabato De Sarno as Creative Director. In this role, Sabato De Sarno will oversee the creative direction of ICICLE across women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, accessories and eyewear. His first collection for ICICLE will be presented for Autumn/Winter 2027-2028.

Bénédicte Laloux, who has played a central role in shaping ICICLE’s womenswear’s creative identity and the Paris Design Studio since 2013, will continue as Design Director of the Women’s Show Collection, working under the creative direction of Sabato De Sarno.

‘Since ICICLE was founded in 1997, our ambition has always been to reconnect people with nature through enduring fashion. We believe this vision can only be realised by bringing together creative talent from around the world with ICICLE’s deep cultural roots and industrial strength in China. Sabato’s arrival marks an important step forward in this direction.’ Ye Shouzeng, CEO and Co-Founder

’I’ve always been fascinated by design beyond the final product, from the origins of raw materials to the craftsmanship that shapes them. I was drawn to ICICLE by the deep alignment between its principles and my own creative philosophy. Harmony between humans and nature is an idea ICICLE has explored for nearly thirty years, and it feels to me more relevant today than ever. I am grateful to Mr. Ye for his trust as we begin writing this chapter together with the entire team.’ Sabato De Sarno

Born in 1983 near Naples, Sabato De Sarno began his career at Prada in 2003 before joining Dolce & Gabbana. In 2009, he moved to Valentino, where over more than a decade he rose to Fashion Director, overseeing the men’s and women’s ready-to-wear collections. In 2023, De Sarno was appointed Creative Director of Gucci. Recognised for his refined eye, tailoring and product-driven approach, his work is characterised by clarity, a commitment to material excellence and perennial design.

Founded in Shanghai in 1997, ICICLE is a luxury fashion brand specialising in women’s and men’s ready-to-wear and accessories. The flagship brand of ICCF Group, ICICLE is dedicated to translating the Eastern philosophy of ’Oneness between Human and Nature’ into a contemporary fashion language. Its creative model is built around a dual structure spanning Paris and Shanghai, and it operates more than 200 stores worldwide, including flagship locations in Beijing, Shanghai and Paris.

ICCF Group is a vertically integrated fashion group operating dual headquarters between Paris and Shanghai. Drawing upon its modern fashion manufacturing capabilities, the Group develops enduring luxury brands guided by a responsible approach to design and production and a long-term creative vision.