Gucci designers on strike for first time ever

For the first time in the history of luxury brand Gucci, designers have gone on strike. They are protesting their forced move to Milan, which they are calling a mass lay-off in disguise.

Rome to Milan

Dozens of employees from Gucci’s design team protested for four hours in front of their headquarters in Rome against their transfer from Rome to Milan. The Italian subsidiary of luxury giant Kering had decided that 153 of the 219 employees would have to move north to Milan, with the fate of the 66 remaining still uncertain.

According to the trade unions, this would amount to a substantial round of redundancies, without Kering having to name it that way, as those who do not agree to the new conditions or cannot leave Rome would be shown the door. The transfer conditions are also said to be unsatisfactory: the social partners ask that everyone be given the same conditions, whether they move to Milan or not.

Gucci claims that no jobs will be lost and there are favourable additional measures, both economic and accompanying, for those making the move. Management cites better collaboration between the creative teams and strategic functions already in Milan as the reason. Following the departure of creative director Alessandro Michele in 2022, Gucci owner Kering appointed a new management in an attempt to revitalise the brand.