Pierpaolo Piccioli Is the New Creative Director of Balenciaga

After months of hypothesis, Pierpaolo Piccioli will take over as the brand new inventive director of Balenciaga. The announcement from Kering, Balenciaga’s mum or dad corporate, successfully closes this yr’s wild loop of clothier adjustments. Piccioli has up to now been the inventive director Valentino earlier than stepping down in March of 2024. At Balenciaga, he’s going to exchange the mononymous Demna, who’s heading to Gucci.

“Being here today, to mold a new story of a house where creativity has always been a culture and innovation a science, makes me feel honored and proud to continue the story that who came before me already told with respect and assertive points of view,” Piccioli mentioned in a letter along the announcement. “Cristóbal Balenciaga’s legacy and archive is probably one of the most influential fashion statements of all time. He has done everything before everyone; he has literally invented the culture of creativity; he has infused the idea of couture in every aspect of his career, and he has shown, through his creations, the power of evolution and innovation. What I am receiving today is a brand full of possibilities that is incredibly fascinating.”

Piccioli’s subsequent transfer has been debated for slightly a while. He has been a loose agent since he left Valentino. He joined the logo in 1999 when he used to be employed along Maria Grazia Chiuri to spice up its accent class. The two made their manner up the ladder in combination, taking at the position of co-creative administrators of equipment, and, in 2008, co-creative administrators of all of the operation. Chiuri left in 2016 to visit Dior, whilst Piccioli stayed on for 8 extra years within the place. During his time on the head of Valentino, Piccioli emphasised magnificence and inclusivity, positioned a focal point on couture, created some viral moments, and bolstered the logo’s dating with celebrities, together with Florence Pugh and Zendaya.

After Piccioli left Valentino closing yr, former Gucci inventive director Alessandro Michele took over, bringing his signature opulence to the logo. In March 2025, in the meantime, it used to be introduced that Demna used to be leaving Balenciaga after 10 years (and a large number of noise) as the logo’s inventive director and heading to Gucci. And now, with Piccioli’s appointment at Balenciaga, the 3 designers have necessarily turned around jobs. In some other twist, Kering, which owns each Balenciaga and Gucci, purchased a 30 p.c passion in Valentino.

Piccioli thanked Demna in his letter, writing, “I’ve always admired his talent and vision. I couldn’t ask for a better passing of the torch. He paid homage to Cristóbal in his own way, sharing his point of view while maintaining the House’s core identity alive.” Now, Piccioli says, he’s going to “shape a new version of the maison, adding another chapter with a new story.”

Demna isn’t completely accomplished with Balenciaga simply but, then again. The Georgian clothier will display his ultimate couture assortment for the logo in July earlier than formally departing for Gucci. Piccioli, in the meantime, will experience a couple of extra months of his sabbatical earlier than he formally takes at the position on July 10. He will unveil his first assortment for the logo in October 2025.