Gucci has appointed Frida Giannini, the brand’s designer of accessories, its Creative Director for women’s ready-to wear. 32-year-old Giannini, who joined Gucci as Handbag Design Director in September 2002 and became Creative Director of Accessories after Tom Ford’s dismissal, replaces Alessandra Facchinetti, who was discharged after one year of heading Gucci’s women’s division due to a “disagreement with management” according to the company’s press release.

“I am thrilled and honored by the opportunity offered to me to expand my creative vision of the Gucci woman. In addition to my ongoing work on Gucci accessories, I am greatly looking forward to moving Gucci forward in women’s ready to wear and maintaining the brand at the forefront of fashion,” Giannini said in the statement, reports FWD.

Although the critics’ reviews of Facchinetti’s latest collection that was presented less than two weeks ago in Milan were very positive, the word has been that the move was made to promote Giannini, who has significantly soared up the label’s sales since last year. The promotion has allegedly been incited to some degree by an attempt of the Gucci Group’s rival Fendi, where Giannini worked for five years before joining Gucci, to entice her back.

“The enormously positive response to the current Cruise and Spring accessory collections Frida designed as Creative Director of Accessories attest to these exceptional strengths. Frida will now also utilize her past experience in women's ready to wear to build on the growing success of the Gucci brand. Alessandra is a talented designer and I would like to thank her for her important contribution to Gucci, particularly this past year," said Gucci president Lee.

Meanwhile, Dolce & Gabbana confirmed Tuesday that former Gucci Group executive Giacomo Santucci, who was “terminated” as the brand’s CEO last year, is joining D&G as the company’s commercial, licenses and retail director. According to Cristiana Ruella, general affairs director, Santucci’s task will be to “harmonize the market presence of the two brands, Dolce & Gabbana and D&G, across the board,” reports WWD.