Balenciaga Welcomes Pierpaolo Piccioli: A Beautiful New Chapter
May 21, 2025
Hello, fashion lovers! Big news from the luxury fashion world—Balenciaga welcomes Pierpaolo Piccioli as its new Creative Director, beginning a fresh and elegant chapter for the iconic brand. This exciting change has the entire fashion world talking.
A New Era Begins
On May 19, 2025, the world learned that Balenciaga welcomes Pierpaolo Piccioli to lead its creative direction. Pierpaolo Piccioli will officially start his new job on July 10, 2025. This news comes after Demna, Balenciaga’s former creative director, left the brand to take on a new role at Gucci, another top label in the Kering family.
Demna led Balenciaga from 2015 to 2025. During those years, he became known for bold, surprising, and sometimes controversial designs. His fashion was often loud, edgy, and full of meaning—touching on social issues like climate change and capitalism. Now, Piccioli brings something very different to the table: a softer, more romantic, elegant, and emotion-driven vision of fashion.
Who is Pierpaolo Piccioli?
If you love designer fashion, you may already know the name Pierpaolo Piccioli. He is a well-respected name in the fashion industry. Piccioli spent 25 years at Valentino, one of the most respected luxury houses in Italy. For nearly 10 of those years, he was the sole Creative Director, leading the brand with a unique style that blended artistry, emotion, and beauty.
At Valentino, Piccioli was known for his beautiful couture pieces. His designs were full of poetry, with flowing silhouettes, dramatic colors, and careful details. He created looks that were not only elegant but also powerful and inclusive. In fact, many of his shows celebrated diversity and individuality, something that made him stand out in the fashion world.
In 2024, he stepped down from Valentino. Now, he is ready for his next big adventure—bringing his talent and vision to Balenciaga. Piccioli says he has great respect for Balenciaga’s founder, Cristóbal Balenciaga, and plans to honor the house’s rich history while also giving it new life with his personal touch.
How Will Balenciaga’s Style Change?
Under Demna, Balenciaga became known for fashion that was rebellious, playful, and sometimes shocking. The clothes often referenced memes, pop culture, and streetwear. Some people loved this bold approach, while others found it too extreme. Either way, it always made people talk.
Piccioli’s style is very different. He speaks about bringing a “human phase” to Balenciaga—a time where fashion will focus more on emotion, creativity, and individuality rather than shock value. Expect to see clothes that are elegant, artistic, and full of heart. He wants his designs to connect with people on a deeper level, to tell stories and celebrate uniqueness.
In his own words, Piccioli described this as a “passing of the torch”—meaning he wants to take what is beautiful from the past and bring it forward in a new, modern way. He’s not here to erase what came before. Instead, he wants to build on it with a fresh and hopeful vision.
What This Means for the Fashion Industry
This major change at Balenciaga comes at an important time. Kering, the luxury group that owns Balenciaga, had a tough financial year in 2024, reporting a 12% drop in revenue. Many believe that hiring Piccioli is a smart decision to bring new energy and stability to the brand.
Piccioli is known for his high level of craftsmanship and his ability to turn ideas into emotional and powerful collections. Experts say that this move shows a bigger change in the world of fashion. Instead of focusing only on short-lived trends, many luxury brands are now looking for authenticity, emotion, and deeper meaning.
Francesca Bellettini, the Deputy CEO of Kering, called Piccioli “one of the most talented and celebrated designers of today.” She praised his passion, artistic vision, and love for traditional skills, saying he is the perfect person to lead Balenciaga into its next chapter.
Balenciaga’s CEO, Gianfranco Gianangeli, also shared his excitement. He believes Piccioli will “perfectly interpret the legacy of Cristóbal Balenciaga” and help the brand continue to grow with bold creativity and strong cultural values.
What’s Coming Next?
So, what can we expect from Piccioli’s first collection for Balenciaga? The world is waiting! His debut is scheduled for October 2025 during Paris Fashion Week, one of the biggest events in the fashion calendar. It will be a ready-to-wear collection—and it will show us how Piccioli blends his romantic couture style with Balenciaga’s modern and edgy personality.
Fashion critics, fans, and stylists around the globe are curious to see what this new vision will look like. Will Piccioli keep some of the brand’s streetwear edge? Will he bring in more of his classic, dreamy silhouettes? Whatever he creates, it will definitely be a big moment in fashion history.
A Mix of Tradition and New Ideas
This new era for Balenciaga feels like a soulful rebirth. With Piccioli at the creative helm, we can expect designs that celebrate emotion, beauty, and individuality. His style is a perfect mix of respect for tradition and fresh innovation—exactly what the fashion world needs right now.
As Balenciaga enters this next chapter, one thing is clear: the future of luxury fashion is about more than just trends. It’s about connection, creativity, and meaning—and Pierpaolo Piccioli is ready to lead the way.
Follow D-Muse to stay current with fashion trends, lifestyle tips, and exciting events. DM us @dmusemagz now to get all the information you need!