Before taking over at Ann Demeulemeester in 2023, Stefano Gallici—still under 30—got his start with a brief internship under Haider Ackermann in Antwerp. Fate seemed to lead him there. Now, he’s stepping into the legacy of the iconic Antwerp Six designer, carrying forward her poetic, edgy elegance from the ’90s. Demeulemeester’s work was never just about clothes—it was a feeling, a sound. Through her connection with Patti Smith, she captured a raw, androgynous minimalism with a musical edge. Gallici understands this—his free-spirited bohemian style vibrates with the energy of today’s music scenes. Some say he and Demeulemeester even swap playlists.

Gallici is cerebral and effortlessly cool, quoting Kerouac and romanticizing West Coast literature. He’s studied the past but isn’t bound by it—respectful of the archives, yet unafraid to make his own mark. The future is wide open, and he’s got the confidence to shape it. The sleek three-piece suits that defined Demeulemeester’s legacy aren’t copied but reimagined. His silhouettes remain lean and layered, but with sharper structure—controlled yet unrestrained. Tailoring is softly oversized but precise; black and white still dominate, softened by muted shades of sage, blush pink, and beige. Devoré velvet adds romance, while denim, bombers, varsity jackets, and biker styles round out the mix—a wardrobe for the creative circles he moves in.

“For Ann, it was the pulse of late-’70s New York—CBGB, Max’s Kansas City, that downtown edge,” Gallici says. “For me, it’s the West Coast—the Beats, San Francisco, Morrison, Ginsberg, Neal Cassady. That’s my language.” He’s clearly playing his own tune.