Demna OUT at Balenciaga, IN at Gucci
The Georgian designer, known for retro-glamour and satirical motifs, has departed after nearly a decade at the brand.
At some point in the last few weeks, the fashion shakeups have started to feel less like musical chairs and more like a never-ending merry-go-round. In breaking news, Demna has stepped down as the creative director of Balenciaga and shuffled his way across Kering’s halls to Gucci.
“Demna’s profound understanding of contemporary culture, coupled with his extensive experience in conceiving visionary projects, has established him as one of the most influential and accomplished creatives of his generation,” said Francesca Bellettini, Kering Deputy CEO in charge of Brand Development, in a statement. “His appointment as Artistic Director is the perfect catalyst to reignite Gucci’s creative energy. I look forward to the collaboration of Demna and Stefano as they lead Gucci into a new era of success.”
Gucci’s Fall/Winter 2025 collection was once again designed by the in-house studio team, a move now repeated after creative directors Alessandro Michele and Sabato de Sarno’s surprise departures. Meanwhile, Balenciaga recently showed a predominantly pared-back corp-gore collection during Paris Fashion Week, marking nearly a decade at the helm for the designer.
However, it’s not the first time Demna dipped his toes into Gucci’s waters. Some might remember Balenciaga and Gucci’s 2021 collaboration, “The Hacker Project”, which briefly reignited both brands’ logomania craze.
Though the rumor mill continues to churn, Demna’s name was not heavily speculated as de Sarno’s successor before the announcement was released. The news broke early this afternoon following Donatella Versace’s surprise step-down. As of yet, no official statements have been made as to Demna’s successor at Balenciaga. Stay tuned to Hypebeast for more updates.
