Gucci said Giannini, who began with them as an accessories designer, was appointed sole creative director after Tuesday's resignation of menswear designer John Ray.
The young designer from Rome became part of a triumvirate, heading the accessories department, when Ford left the company in 2004. Ford handled all design aspects of the label, but design was then split among Giannini, Ray and Alessandra Facchinetti, who later resigned.
Giannini presented her first women's collection in Milan in September at the spring-summer 2006 shows, winning praise for a fresh and feminine look.
The collection included a high-heeled ankle-strapped platform sandal in green suede, reminiscent of a style favored by Karl Lagerfeld, longtime designer for Fendi, where Giannini got her start.
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