Business · Companies · 8 hrs ago
Pierpaolo Piccioli leaves Balenciaga after 16 months
Pierpaolo Piccioli is leaving Balenciaga after just over 16 months leading the Paris fashion house.
He arrived with 25 years of experience at Valentino and a focus on couture, or high-end custom fashion.
The departure reflects a reported clash between Piccioli’s couture vision and Kering’s commercial goals for the brand.
Kering CEO Luca de Meo had pointed to weak sales in Balenciaga’s menswear division.
In his farewell message, Piccioli said couture needs time, care and commitment, and stressed the importance of staying true to one’s values.
Kering says it wants to honour Balenciaga’s heritage, but no successor or next role for Piccioli is named.
Pierpaolo Piccioli is leaving Balenciaga after little more than 16 months at the fashion house.
The Italian designer’s departure follows reported tensions over the brand’s creative direction and commercial performance.
Il Fatto Quotidiano describes a divide between Piccioli’s focus on couture and Kering’s commercial goals.
Piccioli said couture requires time, attention, conviction and courage, and that staying true to one’s identity and values matters.
Kering and Balenciaga’s chief executive praised Piccioli’s contribution to the house’s couture heritage.
- Who
- Pierpaolo Piccioli, an Italian fashion designer, and Balenciaga are parting ways.
- What
- Piccioli is leaving his role at Balenciaga after little more than 16 months.
- When
- The departure was reported on November 5, 2026. The exact date it takes effect is not stated.
- Where
- Balenciaga, the fashion house based in Paris.
- Why
- Il Fatto Quotidiano reports a divide between Piccioli’s couture-focused approach and Kering’s commercial expectations. The article says the brand’s men’s line underperformed commercially.
Piccioli’s couture-focused approach
Kering’s commercial goals
Creative direction
Piccioli’s couture-focused approach
Piccioli focused on couture, craftsmanship and considered creative work.
Kering’s commercial goals
Kering sought stronger sales and commercial performance, including in the men’s line.
Balenciaga’s identity
Piccioli’s couture-focused approach
Piccioli emphasized the house’s couture origins and creative values.
Kering’s commercial goals
Kering aimed to make Balenciaga a gateway to luxury for Generation Z, according to the article.
Luca de Meo complained to shareholders about the commercial performance of Balenciaga’s men’s division, according to the article.
Miss Tweed reported that Piccioli’s couture style and reflective approach were not producing the expected sales volume and hype.
Il Fatto Quotidiano reported that Piccioli and Balenciaga were parting ways after little more than 16 months.
- Tenure
- Little more than 16 months
- Designer
- Pierpaolo Piccioli
- Parent group
- Kering
- Kering chief executive
- Luca de Meo
- Balenciaga chief executive
- Gianfranco Gianangeli
- Reported publication date
- November 5, 2026
What people are saying
Couture requires time and attention; it demands conviction and courage.
In the end, our identity and our values are the only things we truly possess.
an exceptional stylist and a creative talent for whom we have the utmost respect
Thanks to his vision, he reaffirmed the Maison’s couture origins, bringing his considered approach to craftsmanship, construction and creativity.