Kering and Balenciaga are embarking upon a new era with the appointment of Pierpaolo Piccioli as the house’s new Creative Director, announced this week and effective July 10.
Following news of the brand’s current creative director’s – the mononymous designer Demna – pivot to Gucci, Piccioli’s appointment is the latest in the game of high fashion musical chairs, and could potentially signal a shift away from the dystopian, next-gen silhouettes and streetwear that formed the basis of Demna’s couture playbook. Of his appointment, Piccioli says of the news, “I must first and foremost thank Demna; I’ve always admired his vision. I couldn’t ask for a better passing of the torch. This gives me the chance to shape a new vision of the Maison, adding another chapter with a new story.”
During his tenure at Valentino, Piccioli was regarded for his craftsmanship and feminine vision for haute couture, and is expected to bring his signature blend of softness and sartorial reverence to Balenciaga. Piccioli adds, “I’m not a big fan of predestination but as I was scrolling my personal IG page, I realised that the very first picture I’ve uploaded was the 1967 wedding ensemble by Cristóbal Balenciaga. Cristóbal Balenciaga’s legacy and archive is probably one of the most influential fashion statements of all time.”
Francesca Bellettini, Deputy CEO at Kering, says of Piccioli: “He is one of the most talented and celebrated designers of today. His mastery of couture, his creative voice and his passion for savoir-faire made him the ideal choice. I would also like to sincerely thank Demna for the bold, distinctive vision he brought to Balenciaga over the past 10 years, shaping the House’s identity in the contemporary era.”
Piccioli’s debut collection for Balenciaga will be Spring 2026, showing at Paris Fashion Week in October.
Photographs courtesy of Celine and Loewe.
In other fashion news, the Spanish house Loewe has collaborated with sportswear purveyor On on an elevated version of the Cloudventure 2.0 trail sneaker, and a capsule collection of ready-to-wear leisurewear.
And the LVMH group has added another boutique to its luxury fashion portfolio, with the opening of Celine in Westfield Bondi Junction. Expect leather accoutrements, ready-to-wear collections, and Celine’s Haute Parfumerie.
