Pierpaolo Piccioli Is The New Creative Director At Balenciaga

Balenciaga is about to get a brand new look, courtesy of Pierpaolo Piccioli, who the house just named as its new creative director.

Piccioli succeeds Demna, who spent 10 years at the brand before stepping down to take the reins at Gucci in March. Piccioli will join the house on July 10, with his first collection debuting in October during Paris Fashion Week SS26 season.

In an open letter, Piccioli shared his own reflections on the legacy of the French fashion house. 'Cristóbal Balenciaga’s legacy and archive is probably one of the most influential fashion statements of all time. He has done everything before everyone; he has literally invented the culture of creativity; he has infused the idea of couture in every aspect of his career, and he has shown, through his creations, the power of evolution and innovation,' he wrote. 'What I am receiving today is a brand full of possibilities that is incredibly fascinating.'

Piccioli is best known for his tenure at Valentino, where he spent eight years as co-creative director with his long-time creative partner Maria Grazia Chiuri, before taking over as sole creative lead after Chiuri the brand left for Dior in 2016. Renowned for his experimentation with volume and colour, as well as his beautiful couture creations, he was instrumental in pushing Valentino back to the forefront of the fashion and restoring Valentino's status as a red carpet fixture, dressing A-listers from Lady Gaga to Florence Pugh. He left the brand in March last year.

Lady Gaga at the 2019 Golden Globes in Valentino by Pierpaolo Piccioli

Francesca Bellettini, deputy CEO at Balenciaga's parent company Kering, described him as 'one of the most talented and celebrated designers of today' in a statement. 'His mastery of haute couture, his creative voice, and his passion for savoir-faire made him the ideal choice for the house.'

Piccioli's appointment signals a big creative shift at the house, which, under Demna, was known for its streetwear-inflected collections and hit meme-able accessories like heeled crocs and crisp packet bags.

Piccioli himself hinted that his arrival at the brand would mean a total creative overhaul. 'I must first and foremost thank Demna; I’ve always admired his talent and vision. I couldn’t ask for a better passing of the torch,' he wrote. 'This gives me the chance to shape a new version of the maison, adding another chapter with a new story. My chapter of the House of Balenciaga.'

Florence Pugh at the 2022 BFI London Film Festival in Valentino by Pierpaolo Piccioli

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Tamison O'Connor

Fashion Features Director