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Article: DE SOLE: A FORMIDABLE FOE.
- Article from:
- WWD
- Article date:
- March 22, 1999
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1999 Conde Nast Publications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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MILAN -- Since he joined Gucci Group in 1984 as head of Gucci America, Domenico De Sole has quietly but forcefully shaped the company by taking risks, making snap decisions and knowing exactly when to say "no."
In 1993, when the late Maurizio Gucci, who then owned half the company, asked De Sole to fire the design staff, including Tom Ford, De Sole refused. "The company was stagnant and falling apart," De Sole said. "I thought Tom was very talented, and we needed a strong designer."
After that episode, De Sole -- who was named Gucci ceo in 1995 -- and Ford became fast friends, and the two went on to become the heart and soul of Gucci, a team that ...