Chiara Ferragni Reinvents Her Career After Trial Acquittal with Major Guess Campaign

21 January 2026

Chiara Ferragni was named the face of Guess’ spring 2026 campaign Wednesday, just one week after being cleared of fraud charges in Italy. Guess

In a dramatic turn of events that has captivated the fashion world and social media alike, Italian influencer and style icon Chiara Ferragni has been named the face of GUESS’s Spring/Summer 2026 campaign just days after being cleared of aggravated fraud charges in a high-profile trial in Milan. The announcement, made on January 21, 2026, came only a week after a judge ruled in her favor in the so-called “Pandorogate” case, marking both a legal vindication and a fresh professional milestone for one of Europe’s most influential creators.

Ferragni, 38, whose career has spanned nearly two decades from early beginnings as a fashion blogger to global lifestyle influencer, appeared in a striking series of campaign photos captured by photographers Luca and Alessandro Morelli. The imagery, which showcases the essence of GUESS’s latest collection including timeless denim and contemporary silhouettes, was praised by brand leadership as a perfect representation of the spirit the label aims to embody in 2026. “We are thrilled to have Chiara Ferragni as the face of our new campaign,” GUESS co-founder and chief creative officer Paul Marciano said in a statement, noting her authenticity, style and energy as central to the collaboration.

This new chapter arrives after months of uncertainty for Ferragni, whose reputation and business ventures were put under intense scrutiny following the controversy over a 2022 charitable partnership with Italian confectionery company Balocco. That initiative involved the sale of branded Pandoro Christmas cakes marketed with messaging that suggested proceeds would benefit the Regina Margherita children’s hospital in Turin. Critics and regulators later argued that the campaign misled consumers by implying donations that did not occur as presented, leading to significant backlash and legal action. Ferragni faced both civil penalties and ultimately criminal charges, including accusations of aggravated fraud in connection with the promotions.

In January 2026, a judge in Milan ruled to acquit Ferragni of those aggravated fraud charges after prosecutors were unable to demonstrate that her conduct met the legal threshold for that offense. The acquittal was celebrated by Ferragni and her supporters as the end of a long and painful ordeal that threatened both her personal reputation and her professional standing in the fashion and influencer community. She had acknowledged making mistakes in how the promotion was communicated but maintained that she did not act with malicious intent and that the controversy represented a “communication error” rather than intentional deception.

Ferragni also pledged during the height of the scandal to donate her €1 million fee from the Balocco collaboration to the Regina Margherita hospital and later paid additional settlements as part of resolving related investigations and fines. Despite those efforts, the case widely dubbed Pandorogate took a toll on her public image and was linked with a dramatic drop in the valuation of her own brand and licensing partnerships. Some reports indicated brand deals were shelved and the influencer’s market value suffered significant erosion as the public and corporate partners reassessed their associations.

The timing of the GUESS announcement, coming so swiftly after the legal victory, suggested a concerted effort by the influencer and her team to reframe the narrative around her career and redirect attention toward her strengths in fashion and creative expression. Ferragni herself expressed gratitude in a social media statement for GUESS’s confidence in her during “such a complex period,” a remark that underscored both the emotional toll of the past months and her determination to rebuild professionally.

Beyond the immediate buzz around the campaign, Ferragni’s resurgence highlights broader conversations about the evolving role of influencers in luxury and mainstream fashion. Once celebrated as one of the first and most successful fashion bloggers globally, a rise that included her becoming the first blogger to appear on the cover of Vogue and building a multimedia brand with tens of millions of followers across platforms, she now finds herself navigating a more complex terrain where personal brand and legal accountability overlap in unprecedented ways.

Her newly announced work with GUESS, a label with strong recognition and heritage in denim and lifestyle fashion, also reinforces how legacy brands and digital creators continue to intersect as both seek relevance with younger, culturally engaged audiences. The chemistry between a seasoned influencer and a globally recognized fashion house reflects a strategic alignment: brands aim to harness Ferragni’s global visibility and cultural cachet while she leverages established platforms to reconnect with longtime fans and attract new audiences.

For Ferragni, whose personal narrative has been meticulously documented across social channels for years with both triumphs and struggles laid bare, this campaign represents not just a new job but a reaffirmation of her influence in a competitive and sometimes unforgiving landscape. It suggests that, even after controversy and legal battles, a creator with a loyal following, strong aesthetic identity and ability to engage audiences can find a path forward in the fashion world.

Critics and supporters alike will undoubtedly continue to scrutinize Ferragni’s journey, particularly as she works to restore trust and expand her creative portfolio. What remains clear is that her appointment as the face of GUESS’s Spring/Summer 2026 campaign signals a significant moment of professional revival and cultural relevance. It reminds observers that personal branding, resilience and strategic partnerships play defining roles in how modern influencers navigate the interplay between controversy and career momentum.