French luxury group Kering has announced Pierpaolo Piccioli as the new Creative Director of Balenciaga. His appointment will begin on July 10, 2025, marking his return to high fashion after leaving Valentino last year.
Piccioli is a well-known Italian designer with decades of experience, especially in Haute Couture. He worked at Valentino for 16 years, where he became famous for his creative style and strong leadership. At Balenciaga, he will continue the legacy of Cristóbal Balenciaga while bringing his own artistic vision to the brand.
His first collection for Balenciaga is expected to be shown in October. He takes over from Demna, the Georgian designer who led Balenciaga for nearly a decade before moving on to become the new creative director of Gucci, another major brand owned by Kering.
The announcement has sparked excitement in the fashion world, as many expect Piccioli’s unique design approach to shape a new chapter for Balenciaga. With a mix of tradition and innovation, the brand aims to stay at the forefront of modern luxury fashion.
This marks a fresh beginning for Balenciaga, combining the company’s creative history with Piccioli’s celebrated talent. Fashion enthusiasts around the world will be watching closely to see how this new era unfolds.
On his Instagram post, Pierpaolo Piccioli shared the official announcement of his appointment as the new Creative Director of Balenciaga, starting July 10. The post highlighted his excitement to lead the iconic fashion house, known for its bold creativity and rich heritage. It also included statements from Kering, Balenciaga CEO Gianfranco Gianangeli, and Kering Deputy CEO Francesca Bellettini, all expressing their confidence in Pierpaolo’s vision and talent.
In the caption, Pierpaolo reflected on Balenciaga’s long-standing aesthetic values and expressed deep admiration for his predecessor, Demna. He described the role as a new chapter filled with creative possibilities and shared his gratitude for the trust placed in him by the Kering leadership. The post set the tone for what promises to be an exciting new era for Balenciaga under Pierpaolo’s direction.
