MILAN –Twinset on Monday said Gabriele Maggio has joined the Italian fashion brand as its new chief executive officer. The appointment confirmed a WWD scoop on Dec. 2.
Maggio succeeds Alessandro Varisco, and follows the sale of Twinset last June to Borletti Group and Quadrivio & Pambianco (manager of the Made in Italy Fund II) from The Carlyle Group.
Varisco joined Twinset in 2015 from Moschino.
“I am thrilled to be joining Twinset at such a crucial moment in its journey,” Maggio said. “The brand has enormous potential, a unique creative heritage, and an exceptionally talented team. Together with the new shareholders and the entire organization, we will work to build a solid and inspiring phase of growth, further strengthening the brand’s presence in the Italian and European markets.”
Maggio was most recently CEO of Elisabetta Franchi, the brand he joined in February 2024 and left in October. His career in fashion spans more than 25 years, as he was previously president and CEO of Stella McCartney, which he exited in December 2023,  after four years at the helm of the brand. Prior to McCartney, Maggio was general manager of Moschino. He previously held several senior executive and board-level positions at both Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Giorgio Armani and Prada.
“Gabriele’s arrival marks a key milestone in the new chapter for Twinset,” stated Maurizio Negro, chairman of Twinset. “His deep understanding of the sector, combined with the experience gained at the helm of international brands, makes him the ideal leader to guide the company through this phase of growth and transformation.”
The Italian womenswear brand, positioned in the affordable luxury market range, in 2024Â reported revenues of more than 200 million euros, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of more than 30 million euros.
Twinset Fall 2025 Ready-To-Wear Collection at Milan Fashion Week
Courtesy of Twinset
Maggio is tasked with consolidating the brand’s positioning, increasing its investments in marketing and communications, with particular focus on digital channels; a retail expansion, including its online channel, and pursuing international growth—particularly in established markets such as Spain, France, and Eastern Europe.
Maurizio Borletti, partner and co-founder of Borletti Group, defined Maggio’s arrival “a fundamental step” for the expansion of Twinset. “His international experience and his ability to lead complex creative and organizational teams make him the ideal leader to guide the company into this new phase, during which we intend to fully unlock the brand’s potential.”
In May, Borletti Group bought a minority stake in denim, sportswear and accessories brand True Religion. It has more than two decades of experience investing in premium and lifestyle brands ranging from Printemps and Rinascente to MooRER and Zimmermann.
Made in Italy Fund II investments have ranged from sneaker brand Autry and Filippo De Laurentiis, specialized in high-end knitwear, to French brand Sessùn.
“Our goal is to support Twinset through a path of growth and development,” added Alessandro Binello, CEO of Quadrivio Group. “We are confident that Maggio’s professionalism and strategic vision will allow the brand to further consolidate its positioning and strengthen its international presence, in line with the investment strategy of the fund.”
The Carlyle Group acquired 70 percent of Twinset in 2012, upping its stake to 90 percent in 2015 and taking full control in 2017 after Simona Barbieri, who founded the company in 1990 in the Italian town of Carpi — a knitwear hub — with business partner Tiziano Sgarbi, left the company for good.
Twinset was founded as a knitwear specialist, and has expanded into total look collections also holding fashion shows in Milan. Over the past few years it has reached out to a younger generation, tapping the likes of Emily Ratajkowski, Georgia May Jagger and Suki Waterhouse for its communication and debuting a clothing rental program in 2019.
