Italian fashion group Roberto Cavalli announced on Thursday the appointment of Sergio Azzolari as its new chief executive officer, effective on April 2. The executive, who is no stranger to the luxury and fashion industry will report to the Board of Cavalli.

Azzolari has been CEO of Dsquared2 since 2017, after holding various executives roles at Italy's Tod's, Luxottica and Missoni, where he acquired experience and knowledge on Asia, the Americas and Europe across all aspects of retail, marketing and product development.

“Finding the right partner to work with me to take Roberto Cavalli forward in our evolution has been a primary focus over the last several months, and I am thrilled that Mr. Azzolari is joining our talented team. He’s a skilled business leader with a deep passion for the consumer and a sophisticated understanding of building global, omnichannel brands. This, combined with his collaborative working style, transformation experience and intense focus on results, will put us in a good position as we move toward the future," said Hussain Sajwani, the Emirati billionaire businessman who purchased the Tuscan house in 2019. 

Since the acquisition and Fausto Puglisi taking charge of its creative direction, the company has displayed a high double-digit growth year-on year. The high-end Italian luxury brand is defined by a glamorous contemporary Mediterranean aesthetic and is known for its Italian excellence and craftsmanship.

“Roberto Cavalli is one of the world's greatest fashion icons and a brand I have admired for many years. It's an incredible opportunity to partner with Mr. Sajwani to continue to build on 50 years of heritage and innovation. The brand holds tremendous potential around the world, and I could not be more excited to lead the next phase of development for this great company with the team," enthused Azzolari, the new CEO.

Roberto Cavalli is owned by Dubai's Damac Properties founder, Sajwani, who rescued the Florence-based group in 2019 through his private investment company Vision Investments. 

With Reuters