Italian designer Pierpaolo Piccioli has been announced as the new Creative Director of Balenciaga, taking the reins from Demna, who departs the Paris-based luxury house for a new role at Gucci.
The move, confirmed by parent company Kering (which owns both Balenciaga and Gucci), marks a significant reshuffle in the group’s creative leadership. Piccioli, who worked at Valentino for 20 years until 2024, will officially assume his role on July 10, and is expected to unveil his first Balenciaga collection in October during Paris Fashion Week.
Piccioli, celebrated for his romantic and emotive approach at Valentino, brings a fresh sensibility to Balenciaga following Demna’s disruptive, often provocative reign. “What I am receiving is a brand full of possibilities that is incredibly fascinating,” Piccioli said in a statement. “I must first and foremost thank Demna; I’ve always admired his talent and vision. I couldn’t ask for a better passing of the torch.”
Balenciaga, known for its bold silhouettes and cutting-edge commentary on culture and fashion, now enters a new chapter. Piccioli will oversee womenswear, menswear, accessories, and couture, signalling a comprehensive shift in the house’s creative direction.
Francesca Bellettini, Kering’s deputy CEO and head of brand development, said, “I couldn’t be happier to welcome Pierpaolo to the Group. He is one of the most talented and celebrated designers of today. His mastery of Haute Couture, his creative voice, and his passion for savoir-faire made him the ideal choice for the House. I would also like to sincerely thank Demna for the bold, distinctive vision he brought to Balenciaga over the past ten years, shaping the House’s identity in the contemporary era.”
Demna, who joined Balenciaga in 2015, has been widely credited with revitalising the brand, albeit with polarising collections that often touched on political and social themes. His departure to Gucci forms part of a wider strategy by Kering to reposition and refresh its major fashion labels.
Industry insiders are watching closely to see how Piccioli will reimagine Balenciaga’s identity, blending his poetic aesthetic with the brand’s avant-garde heritage.
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