Balenciaga announces the departure of its artistic director Pierpaolo Piccioli
The Italian artistic director is leaving the house after a little over a year, as part of a “reset” of the French luxury group.
Quick Look
- Pierpaolo Piccioli leaves Balenciaga after a little over a year, the third artistic director departure at Kering in a month after Anthony Vaccarello and Sean McGirr.
- Luca de Meo, who arrived in September 2025, is attempting a “reset” of the group whose shares have fallen following disappointing results, particularly at Gucci.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The French luxury group Kering announced the departure of three artistic directors in one month: Anthony Vaccarello at Saint Laurent on October 9, Sean McGirr at McQueen four days later, and Pierpaolo Piccioli at Balenciaga on November 5. Piccioli arrived at Balenciaga after twenty-two years at Valentino. Luca de Meo, formerly of Renault, became CEO of Kering in September 2025 and is trying to turn around the group's brands.
It's now official: this Thursday, November 5, the house of Balenciaga announces in a laconic press release the departure of its artistic director Pierpaolo Piccioli. The transfer window that shook the luxury industry two years ago has started again with a vengeance. At least within the Kering group.
In the space of a month, the French luxury group announced the departure of no less than three of its artistic directors. Anthony Vaccarello at Saint Laurent, on October 9, four days later, Sean McGirr at McQueen and finally, Pierpaolo Piccioli, after only a little over a year at the head of the collections at Cristobal's house.
His arrival, after twenty-two years of good and loyal service at Valentino, had nevertheless aroused a certain enthusiasm from observers and social networks. The 59-year-old Roman then presented the ideal profile to follow in the footsteps of the Spanish founder whom he had always admired, as his past collections at Valentino had demonstrated a sense of purity in line with the couturier.
But the graft never really took hold between “PPP” and this house, very marked by the passage of its predecessor, Demna, who left as an officer at Gucci. Six collections and then it’s gone.
At Kering, it's time for the big "reset", in the hope of a rebound for the group whose shares were still falling a few days ago - following the publication of results considered disappointing for the third quarter of the current financial year, notably Gucci.
Since his arrival in September 2025, Luca de Meo, the general manager (defector from Renault) has been trying to get his star brands back afloat. Hence this recent wave of departures. In the official press release, he explains about Balenciaga: “Pierpaolo is an exceptional couturier, endowed with immense creative talent, for whom we have the greatest respect. Our ambition is to remain true to the avant-garde spirit of Balenciaga, to honor its remarkable heritage and to continue to push the boundaries of creativity that make the house a strong and relevant voice. »
As for the brand's CEO, Gianfranco Gianangeli, he said: “We are deeply grateful to Pierpaolo for his contribution to Balenciaga. Through his vision and the attention he paid to know-how, to the construction of clothes and to creation, he reaffirmed the couture heritage of the house. I would like to sincerely thank him for his commitment, generosity and collaboration. »
So, who to relaunch the Parisian haute couture house? Several rumors are already buzzing on social networks and among luxury industry insiders. Verdict “soon”, specifies the press release.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
A new artistic director will be appointed at Balenciaga soon.
Very likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Who will replace Pierpaolo Piccioli at Balenciaga?
- What will be the consequences of these departures on the future collections of Balenciaga, Saint Laurent and McQueen?
- Will Luca de Meo’s “reset” make it possible to improve Kering’s results, particularly at Gucci?
