Umm, Leonardo Fioravanti Is An Ambassador For Gucci, Man

High fashion adores surf. And Italian surfers seem to have a penchant for designer gear (see: Francisco Porcella, that handsome motherfucker).

As it turns out, Marco Bizzari, the CEO of Gucci’s son surfs. So, when Italy’s finest surfer, Leo Fioravanti, made the world stage, Bizzari arranged for him and his son to meet Leo in Milan for dinner.

“It’s Italian culture to dress elegantly for dinner and I’ve made it a habit of getting dressed up when I go out,” Leo told Stab.

Seriously, that kimono is scrumbscious!

Photography

Vogue Italia

After dinner, Bizzari asked Leo to become an ambassador for Gucci. Originally, we thought this might encroach on Quik’s very own Rocky Balboa (who own the real estate on Leo’s nose). Instead, they told him to “seize the opportunity.”

“The deal has been mutually beneficial for Quiksilver. I’ve been able to get into some magazines with Gucci that I probably wouldn’t have been able to otherwise,” said Leo.

Since the Gucci deal, Leo’s graced the gloss of Vogue Italy, JQ Mexico, Rolling Stone Italy, and German magazine Numero Homme.

The shoots, however, weren’t surf action related. “I’m just an ambassador for Gucci in jewelry (bling!) and classic clothing. Suits. etc,” said Leo, “not a model.”

And, no, he won’t be sporting a sticker.

“They (Gucci) understand that in the surfing world, I have my sponsors, especially Quiksilver, and they don’t want to interfere,” said Leo. “Plus, Gucci doesn’t really need to make stickers.”

Leo’s rookie year has been plagued by second round exits. Sitting in 30th on the CT and 32nd on the QS, he’ll have to have a cracker end of the season if he wants to keep his spot on the top 34. But, at 19-years-old, Leo realizes that falling off tour isn’t the end-all.

“As an amateur, I won more than I lost, but at the championship level, I am losing more than I am winning. If you asked me last year where I would be in the rankings I probably would of thought higher, but I’m young and I’m learning.”

So while he slips away from the chance of a second consecutive CT season, he shines brightly amidst surfing’s one percent. Recently, Leo joined Kelly Wonka for a private session at the Wave Factory, a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert and a charity golf event, then immediately flew to Milan on the invite of designer Alessandro Michele for fashion week.

“The event was unreal. It was cool to step into a different world and in this case, something I’m interested in with Italian fashion. It’s nice to take trips once in awhile that aren’t all about surfing. I think everyone but Kanoa (Igarashi) wants to be a tourist sometimes.”

Leo’s life’s oh-so-LUX, from fine dining, selfies with A$ap Rocky and 50 Shades of Grey star, Dakota Johnson, to dancing with Europe’s top models at private parties disc jockied by Bjork.

While on the webcast, Leo may look like the rest of the Top 34. Off the world stage, his life is all Gucci, man.