Rhuigi Villaseñor Exits Bally After Just Over One Year

After just over one year at the Swiss brand’s helm, Rhuigi Villaseñor is stepping down as creative director at Bally, in what is being called a “joint and mutual decision,” according to WWD.

The designer only claimed the brand’s top creative seat in January of last year, marking one of the shortest stints for a creative director in fashion history. Per the outlet, Bally’s chief creative officer Nicolas Girotto applauded Villaseñor’s “creative contributions” to the brand, noting that his “passion, energy, and creativity helped catapult Bally back into the spotlight, further rejuvenating the brand’s 170-year legacy through a modern, glamorous lens. I wish him all the best in the next chapter of his creative journey.”

Villaseñor added, “My experience at Bally has been an incredible honor. I wish the brand nothing but the best in all its future endeavors and look forward to enjoying its next creative chapter.”

As creative director, Villaseñor revived Bally’s presence on the runway, with a ready-to-wear show in Milan in September of last year and a sophomore runway in February. In his short tenure, the designer was only beginning to define his version of Bally, which looked to include a fusion of Western Americana and Swiss sporting codes.

This year, Villaseñor’s objective was to expand Bally’s presence in the U.S. market, though it seems like those plans were cut short. Instead, Bally’s design studio will take creative control over the brand’s future collections, until a new creative director is appointed. Bally will show a co-ed Spring/Summer 2024 collection in Milan, this September.

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