Pierpaolo Piccioli to Succeed Demna at Balenciaga

The Spring 2026 fashion season is shaping up to be an exciting one. Yet another new designer will make their debut during the season. This time, it’s the former creative director of Valentino, Pierpaolo Piccioli, who has just been announced as the new creative director of Balenciaga.

Hmmm, I am encouraged Balenciaga will go back to the brand I once loved, departed the House to take over the helm of Gucci, another brand under the Kering umbrella. Piccioli, who departed Valentino over a year ago, will begin his post on July 10th, following Demna’s final couture collection on July 9th.

A New Chapter Awaits

His appointment no doubt signals a new era for the House, founded by Spanish couturier Cristóbal Balenciaga. Known for his incredible attention to detail and mastery of haute couture, Piccioli’s romantic, dreamy aesthetic at Valentino’s helm vastly differs from the Balenciaga of today. Still, his attention to technique and craft is completely in line with Balenciaga’s core ethos.

Piccioli marks the fifth designer to sit at the helm of Balenciaga following Cristóbal Balenciaga’s departure in the late 1960s. He will succeed Michel Goma, Nicolas Ghesquière, Alexander Wang, and most-recently, Demna. Piccioli expressed his gratitude and excitement, stating:

“Balenciaga is what it is today thanks to all the people who have paved the way. In all its phases, while constantly evolving and changing, it has never lost track of the House’s aesthetic values. What I am receiving is a brand full of possibilities that is incredibly fascinating.”