French luxury conglomerate Kering announced that Pierpaolo Piccioli is stepping down as creative director of Balenciaga after just 16 months at the helm. The decision marks the swift conclusion of one of the most talked-about creative leadership changes in the recent history of the luxury fashion sector.
Piccioli, who joined Balenciaga in July 2025 after a celebrated twenty-five-year tenure at Valentino, has brought a radical shift to the fashion house’s aesthetic, one that still engages with the legacy of Cristóbal Balenciaga and the historic Parisian brand. Taking on the role of creative director after Demna’s decade-long, streetwear-infused and subversive era, the Italian designer has sought to steer Balenciaga back toward a classic, architectural elegance, with a focus on masterful craftsmanship.
A Century of Avant-Garde Heritage
Founded by Cristóbal Balenciaga in San Sebastián in 1917 and established in Paris in 1937, the House of Balenciaga revolutionized Couture with its many innovations in form and technique. Today, it continues to uphold the avant-garde vision of the House through boundary-pushing collections including women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, Couture, accessories, fragrance, and objets d’art.
Respecting its legacy, the brand continues to redefine luxury via unprecedented interactions with the expanding digital realm, material development, and social responsibility, keeping it at the forefront of modern design for generations to come.
Gianfranco Gianangeli, ceo of Balenciaga, and François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO of Kering, expressed their gratitude to Piccioli for bringing his distinctive artistic sensibility and elevated couture vision to the maison. “We are deeply grateful for Pierpaolo’s contribution to Balenciaga. Through his vision, he reaffirmed the couture origins of the House, bringing his considered approach to craftsmanship, construction and creativity. I would like to thank him for his dedication, generosity and collaboration, sincerely,” said Gianangeli.
“Pierpaolo is an exceptional couturier and creative talent for whom we have the greatest respect. Our ambition is to build on Balenciaga's avant-garde spirit, honor its remarkable heritage and continue to push creative boundaries, further establishing the House as a powerful and relevant voice,” added Luca de Meo, ceo of Kering.
Kering stated that a new creative organization for Balenciaga will be announced in due course.
Photo: Balenciaga runway under Pierpaolo Piccioli's creative direction
