Pierpaolo Piccioli Leaves Balenciaga After Less Than a Year as Creative Director

Pierpaolo Piccioli is leaving his role as Balenciaga’s creative director, according to an announcement by the luxury house’s parent company, Kering. The departure comes less than a year after he took over the position in July, succeeding Demna, who moved to Gucci. Piccioli spent 25 years at Valentino before joining Balenciaga. Kering chief executive Luca de Meo praised him as “an exceptional couturier and creative talent.” The company said it would announce a new creative direction for the brand shortly, but did not provide further details about Piccioli’s next move. The reported exit comes amid other changes at Kering’s fashion labels. Anthony Vaccarello, creative director at Saint Laurent, and Sean McGirr, the designer at Alexander McQueen, have also recently left their posts, according to the report. Puck has reported that British-Jamaican designer Martine Rose is expected to replace Piccioli. Rose runs her own fashion label and previously worked as a menswear consultant at Balenciaga during Demna’s tenure. Kering declined to comment on that report, so her appointment has not been confirmed. The company’s leadership has also been pursuing cost-cutting measures as it navigates weaker consumer sentiment in China and broader economic pressures. The announcement marks a swift change at Balenciaga, while the identity of its next creative leader remains officially unconfirmed.