It’s official! Balenciaga has a new creative director and it is none other than Pierpaolo Piccioli. Although the news came as something of a shock to the industry, it was met with plenty of excitement to see how Piccioli will steer the Maison into a new chapter.
Piccioli is adored for his creative vision, audacious elegance and mastery of Haute Couture, and has been a force in the industry. He spent 25 years at Valentino; having joined as an accessories designer under Maria Grazia Chiuri in 1999, they later served as co-creative directors from 2008 to 2016, at which point he took the helm and skyrocketed Valentino to new heights.
Piccioli follows in the footsteps of Demna; he was creative director for a decade before departing in March, and will present his final collection during Couture Week this summer. While the Maison has been through many chapters, some more well-received than others, Demna made Balenciaga a household name and is credited with its extremely profitable transformation. “Balenciaga is what it is today thanks to all the people who have paved the way. In all its phases, while constantly evolving and changing, it has never lost track of the House’s aesthetic values,” shared Piccioli 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. This gives me the chance to shape a new version of the Maison, adding another chapter with a new story.”
The two designers have arguably opposing approaches, so what does the future of Balenciaga hold? Piccioli’s first collection will debut in October 2025, so we won’t have to wait long to find out.
