Summary

• Pierpaolo Piccioli has been named Balenciaga’s new creative director.
• The former Valentino designer will begin his new role on July 10.
• Piccioli’s first collection for the brand will be revealed in October.

After weeks of rumor-milling speculation, Pierpaolo Piccioli has officially been named Balenciaga’s new creative director. The former Valentino designer will begin his new role on July 10, and his first collection for the Kering-owned brand will be revealed in October.

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.”

 

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Piccioli bid farewell to Valentino in 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 his Fall 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 likely appeal to a more conservative audience than the label is used to, especially with the designer’s brilliant couture chops. His take on the brand will even more likely be a far cry from Demna’s tongue-in-cheek streetwear looks, Erewhon collabs, and Triple S sneakers, though Piccioli sees his work existing in the “same story” as his successor.

“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.