The Fashion World Mourns Moschino Creative Director Davide Renne
The newly appointed creative director of Moschino unexpectedly died from a sudden illness.
Not even a month after Davide Renne was officially named the new creative director of Moschino following the departure of Jeremy Scott, the designer has unexpectedly been pronounced dead.
The news broke on Nov. 10, with a brief statement from the Moschino team.
"There are no words to describe the pain we are experiencing at this dramatic time," said Massimo Ferretti, executive chairman of Moschino’s parent company Aeffe, in a statement. "Davide joined us only a few days ago, when a sudden illness took him from us too soon. We still can't believe what happened."
"With Davide, we were working on a project on an ambitious project, in an atmosphere of enthusiasm and optimism for the future. Even though he was only with us for a very short time, Davide was able to immediately make himself loved and respected. Today we are left with the responsibility of carrying on what his imagination and creativity had only envisioned. Our deepest sympathies go to his family and friends."
The Turkish-born designer held an impressive resume, most notably having a 20-year stint at Gucci working under Alessandro Michele and Frida Giannini. He was set to have his debut collection during Milan Fashion Week next February for the Fall/Winter 2024 season.
Since word broke out, the fashion world has publicly mourned Renne's sudden passing.
Michele wrote a heartwarming post on Instagram: “My sweet friend, inseparable brother, great love. What an extraordinary and unforgettable journey we took together. How many laughs and unbridled joy. How many irrational dreams we followed. And how we tightly embraced one another, our hearts racing. Because you were not only one of the most talented creatives I ever met. You were especially an irreplaceable part of a small rickety family. Ours, the one we chose to build with all the love in the world. Today, I can’t not cry for you desperately. In this rainy day in which I miss you as I would miss breathing, I wish so much I could embrace you and tell you, once again, that everything will be alright."
Giannini expressed his grief as well, stating, “Dear Davide, life, people, made us drift apart but you know that since that first day many years ago I believed in you and we helped each other to ‘grow’ together. I will never forget the ‘Smurfette’ dresses you designed for me and the laughs we shared. You were a good soul, I always missed you and now even more. And I will never forget those endless steps we took when you were the only gentleman who accompanied me in tears to the car in my last day together….You will always be in my heart. Yours, Frida."
Former Tod’s and newly appointed Blumarine creative director Walter Chiapponi shared his sentiments about Renne's death. "This is a moment of huge pain, Davide meant a lot to me. Davide arrived at Dell’Acqua from Polimoda in Florence and I was fascinated by this person, who was joyful, full of life, of creativity and enthusiasm,” said Chiapponi. “We also worked together at Gucci and followed the same path for the past 24 years. He had just moved to Milan, close to my own home. He was a brother to me, my best friend, a father at times, a person with a great heart, and, especially, the best designer that I have ever met. Fashion was his passion and he had a knowledge of fashion that was almost unimaginable. We spoke three times a day, it’s difficult to think of my daily life without him. I am certain I will not be the only one to miss him.”
At the time of his appointment, Renne expressed his excitement about being at the helm of Moschino, stating, "Franco Moschino had a nickname for his design studio: la sala giochi — the playroom. This resonates deeply with me: what fashion — Italian fashion especially, and the House of Moschino most of all, can achieve with its enormous power should be accomplished with a sense of play, of joy. I am very conscious of the honor that Mr. Ferretti — a gentleman who has been almost fatherly in his ability to listen and establish a dialogue during our encounters — has bestowed upon me in taking charge of the House founded by one of fashion’s greatest minds. So, thank you, Mr. Ferretti, for giving me the keys to your playroom. I can’t wait to begin — we’ll have fun together."
As of now, there has been no news on who will succeed Renne.
