Pierpaolo Piccioli to Helm Balenciaga Amid Creative Reshuffle

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Balenciaga has officially announced the appointment of Pierpaolo Piccioli as its new Creative Director, effective July 10, in a move that signals both continuity and a bold new chapter for the Parisian House. Piccioli, one of fashion’s most respected design voices and a master of haute couture, will present his first collection for Balenciaga in October.

The news marks a turning point in the brand’s trajectory, following the decade-long creative tenure of Demna, who redefined Balenciaga’s identity with a radical, street-inflected aesthetic that polarized but undeniably left an indelible mark on the fashion landscape. Piccioli steps into the role with a markedly different visual language, known for his romanticism, poetic silhouettes, and deeply humanistic approach to fashion.

“Balenciaga is what it is today thanks to all the people who have paved the way,” Piccioli said in a statement. “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. This gives me the chance to shape a new version of the maison, adding another chapter with a new story.”

Kering’s Deputy CEO for Brand Development, Francesca Bellettini, praised Piccioli’s appointment, calling him “one of the most talented and celebrated designers of today,” and commended his “mastery of haute couture” and “passion for savoir-faire” as key reasons he was the right fit for the role. She also extended gratitude to Demna for shaping the brand’s contemporary identity.

Gianfranco Gianangeli, Balenciaga’s new CEO who took the helm earlier this year, added: “His 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.”

The appointment reunites the brand with a couture-forward approach, in line with founder Cristóbal Balenciaga’s roots, and introduces a fresh sensibility as the label navigates a shifting luxury landscape. Piccioli’s tenure at Valentino—where he spent over two decades, first as co-creative director with Maria Grazia Chiuri and then solo from 2016 until his exit in early 2024—earned him acclaim for restoring emotional gravitas and inclusive beauty to high fashion.

Piccioli’s arrival comes at a critical time for Balenciaga, which is working to stabilize its business amid ongoing consumer recalibration and market headwinds across the luxury sector. Just last week, the brand named Nathalie Raynaud as its new Deputy CEO. Raynaud, who joined the house in 2020, has been instrumental in expanding Balenciaga’s leather goods category, helping to rebalance the brand’s product portfolio following a period of heavy reliance on sneakers and streetwear. Her promotion signals a sharpened commercial focus to complement Piccioli’s incoming creative vision.

Raynaud will report to Gianangeli, who succeeded long-serving CEO Cédric Charbit in January. Together with Piccioli, the trio is expected to usher Balenciaga into a new phase—one that builds on the house’s disruptive recent past while re-centering craft, elegance, and emotional resonance.

As the fashion world awaits Piccioli’s first Balenciaga show in October, all eyes are on how the designer will reinterpret the house’s archives and codes—not only as a custodian of legacy, but as a storyteller shaping what comes next.