Dolce & Gabbana says co-founder Stefano Gabbana quit as chair at start of year

Designer said to be considering options for his 40% stake in fashion house ahead of negotiations with bank lenders

Stefano Gabbana left his post as chair of Dolce & Gabbana at the start of this year, the design house he co-founded with his then partner, Domenico Dolce, in 1985 has said.

The Italian luxury fashion house said Gabbana had tendered his resignation, effective as of 1 January, as part of a natural evolution of its organisational structure and governance".