Pierpaolo Piccioli Named Balenciaga's New Creative Director
In a statement, Piccioli said, '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. What I am receiving is a brand full of possibilities that is incredibly fascinating.'
Picciolibid farewelltoValentinoin March of last year, after 25 years at the Italian fashion house (and 16 as creative director). In a mutual agreement with the brand, the designer had already departed from the label at the time of the announcement, meaning hisFall 2024 collection, shown during Paris Fashion Week in February of last year, marked his final output for Valentino.
He'll take Balenciaga's reins from Demna, who's scheduled to reveal his final couture collection for the House this July before heading to Gucci. Like him or not, Demna transformed Balenciaga into one of the most coveted labels on the modern market, and he's widely celebrated for his fashion week spectacles — be they windstruck snowstorms, murky mud baths, or dystopic stock exchanges — as well as the needle-pushing wardrobes and all-star front-rows that accompanied them, which, altogether, often staked a claim as the most talked-about show during any fashion week.
Piccioli, who's lauded for his innovative couture, striking color palettes (Valentino Pink, in particular, was a massive success), and his ability to bring traditional design techniques into the modern day, boasts a design language imbued with unequivocal romanticism similar to that of Cristóbal Balenciaga himself. Piccioli's Balenciaga will look much different from Demna's, to say the least.
'I must first and foremost thank Demna,' Piccioli continued. '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.'
Balenciaga CEO Gianfranco Gianangeli said he was 'excited' about this 'new era' for the brand. '[Pierpaolo's] creative vision will thrive, and he will perfectly interpret the legacy of Cristóbal Balenciaga, building on the House's bold creativity, rich heritage and strong culture,' he added.
'[Pierpaolo] is one of the most talented and celebrated designers of today,' affirmed Kering Deputy CEO Francesca Bellettini. 'His mastery of Haute Couture, his creative voice, and his passion for savoir-faire made him the ideal choice for the House.'
With culture-shifting design abilities, myriad high-profile co-signers, and a legion of cult followers, Piccioli is well-positioned to succeed in the House's top seat. How exactly the designer's Balenciaga will manifest is still up for debate, but stay tuned for Piccioli's debut this October.
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