Domenico De Sole’s Latest Role: Chairman Of Sotheby’s

by Paige Reddinger

THE FASHION GROUP INTERNATIONAL 30th Annual Night of Stars: The Protagonists

Domencio De Sole, the chairman of Tom Ford International, has also been named chairman of Sotheby’s. De Sole was named an independent director of Sotheby’s in 2013. In his new role as chairman of the board, De Sole will be working with Sotheby’s new president and CEO Tad Smith. Smith was formerly the president and CEO of The Madison Square Garden Company. This will be the first time that the roles of chairman and president will be separate for Sotheby’s. Smith will take on his role as president and CEO of Sotheby’s starting March 31st.

Prior to his role as the chairman of Tom Ford International, De Sole was the former president and CEO of the Gucci Group, which is now part of Kering. Under De Sole, the Gucci group went from a single failing label to acquiring brands like Yves Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Stella McCartney, and Alexander McQueen. He eventually built the company into a $3 billion business. De Sole had planned to retire to his Hilton Head retreat with his wife Eleanore De Sole after 20 years in the business when he left Gucci Group, according to the Wall Street Journal, until Tom Ford lured him back into the fashion business. De Sole is also on the board of directors at Gap Inc. and Telecom Italia. In his latest role, he will be succeeding William F. Ruprecht, who had served as CEO of Sotheby’s since 2000.

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