After three seasons at the helm of the label, the designer is stepping down.&nbsp;

Pierpaolo Piccioli is officially leaving his role as creative director at Balenciaga.&nbsp; Piccioli was initially appointed to the position in May 2025, about a year after leaving the helm of Valentino. The designer showed his first collection during the Spring/Summer 2026 season in Paris. While Piccioli's predecessor, Demna, steered the label in a distinctly modern, avant-garde direction, Piccioli's Balenciaga was defined by vibrant colors and sculptural, voluminous shapes with influences from Balenciaga's early archives.&nbsp;
"In my first show last October, many thought some silhouettes came from Balenciaga’s history. In reality, they were new—Cristóbal never made them. But they were faithful to his path, which for me is the most beautiful thing: creating something new while following the same spirit of creativity," Piccioli told L’OFFICIEL <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/pierpaolo-piccioli-balenciaga-archives-cristobal-moda-lofficiel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in an April 2026 interview</a>. “I want to follow my instinct, to be able to go in any direction without betraying the past.&nbsp;Balenciaga is creativity, and creativity is the map to follow.”

Balenciaga Spring/Summer 2026. Getty Images.

The designer's exit was announced by Balenciaga's parent company, Kering, in a statement. “Pierpaolo is an exceptional couturier and creative talent for whom we have the greatest respect,” said Kering CEO Luca de Meo in the statement. “Our ambition is to build on Balenciaga’s avant-garde spirit, honor its remarkable heritage and continue to push creative boundaries, further establishing the house as a powerful and relevant voice.”
“We are deeply grateful for Pierpaolo’s contribution to Balenciaga,” Balenciaga CEO Gianfranco Gianangeli added. “Through his vision, he reaffirmed the couture origins of the house, bringing his considered approach to craftsmanship, construction and creativity. I would like to sincerely thank him for his dedication, generosity and collaboration.”&nbsp; Piccioli's exit comes weeks after Anthony Vaccarello and Seán McGirr's departures from the helms of two other Kering brands, Saint Laurent and McQueen.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Shortly after the announcement, Piccioli shared a post on his personal Instagram account. Accompanying a carousel of photos from his time at Balenciaga, the designer reflected on the art of couture and the time, attention, and dedication that the craft requires.&nbsp;

"Couture requires time and attention; it demands conviction and courage. It is where I have always wanted to be, it is the place I have chosen to inhabit.&nbsp;It is my way of understanding this profession: not merely a look, but a gesture; not just a silhouette, but a knowing hand, a perspective and a point of view from which to gaze upon imagined landscapes..." he wrote.
In addition to sharing his love for couture, he also expressed gratitude toward his team. "Thank you, then. For the work done, for the hands, for the courage, for the care; thank you to all those who have shared this perspective and walked beside me along this path. Without maps and without compromise. You know who you are. And, despite everything, keep shining. Always. Love, Pp," he concluded.&nbsp;
Balenciaga has not yet announced a successor for the role.&nbsp;

A portrait of Pierpaolo Piccioli. Photography by  David Sims.

Pierpaolo Piccioli Exits Balenciaga 

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Pierpaolo Piccioli Exits Balenciaga

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