The Italian designer grew up in the resort city of Nettuno, studied literature at Rome University, interned at Brunello Cucinelli and after graduation, joined the team at Fendi with Maria Grazia Chiuri. He joined Valentino in 1999 as an accessory designer alongside Chiuri. The duo were appointed co-creative directors in 2008, after Valentino retired and Alessandra Facchinetti vacated after just one year in the role. The creative pair hit a winning streak. “Their couture shows were as sublime as their rock stud shoes were clever,” wrote Phelps back when the house confirmed Chiuri’s departure. In 2016, Piccioli took on the role of sole creative director, following Chiuri’s departure for Dior. His first collection in October 2016, after Chiuri left, “revealed the unbridled romanticism and fantasy of Piccioli’s singular vision,” Hamish Bowles wrote at the time.

At Valentino, Piccioli also impressed the fashion world with his skills as a couturier, which is a major asset given Balenciaga returned to couture in 2021, as well as with his ability to modernise a heritage brand. Speaking with Luke Leitch in 2011 about how he and Chiuri approached the legacy of Valentino Garavani, Piccioli said: “We keep the language but change the attitude.” This is a precious skill for Balenciaga, where the designer will be able to draw on founder Cristóbal Balenciaga’s rich and relatively untapped archives. In September 2024, Balenciaga’s exhibition at Kering’s headquarters, titled ‘The Subtleties of a Dialogue’, marked the first time Balenciaga’s archival creations were showcased alongside those of Demna.

There’s a bit of a Kering subplot in the appointment too: in 2012, Valentino was acquired by Qatari investment fund Mayhoola for €700 million, per Reuters. Then, in July 2023, Kering announced the acquisition of a 30 per cent share in Valentino for a cash consideration of €1.7 billion. The deal includes the option for Kering to acquire the rest of the brand by 2028. At the time of the acquisition, when Piccioli was still at the creative helm, Pinault described Valentino as “a unique Italian house that is synonymous with beauty and elegance”. Valentino’s revenues in 2024 amounted to €1.3 billion, just slightly behind Balenciaga.

Kering to Acquire 30% Of Valentino

Kering doesn’t break down sales of its Other Houses division, which includes Balenciaga alongside brands like Alexander McQueen and Boucheron. According to Morgan Stanley estimates, however, Balenciaga sales hit €1.66 billion in 2024 (up from €360 million in 2015, when Demna took the creative helm). The controversy around two ad campaigns released in late 2022 dealt a blow to brand revenue. Then followed the global luxury downturn. But a slow recovery appears to be underway: “Balenciaga delivered robust growth in leather goods, fuelled by the success of recently launched handbags, but the house is not immune to weak traffic conditions,” Kering CFO Armelle Poulou said during the group’s first-quarter earnings call. Balenciaga recently bolstered its management: it promoted Nathalie Raynaud, who was instrumental in the success of the house’s handbags like the Rodeo, as deputy CEO. CEO Gianfranco Gianangeli took on his role in January.

He appears to be a reassuring choice, which could benefit the group, especially after investors’ initial reaction to Demna at Gucci.

His first collection for Balenciaga will be presented during Paris Fashion Week at the spring 2026 shows, joining the lineup of designer debuts that includes Matthieu Blazy at Chanel, Duran Lantink at Jean Paul Gaultier, and, of course, Demna at Gucci.

“His creative vision will thrive, and he will perfectly interpret the legacy of Cristóbal Balenciaga, building on the house’s bold creativity, rich heritage and strong culture,” Gianangeli said in a statement. “With the expertise of our teams and the dynamic creative energy that has historically driven Balenciaga, I look forward to what we will build together.”

“I’m ready. I had enough rest, so I’m ready to start,” Piccioli said.

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