The Italian designer Pierpaolo Piccioli was appointed creative director at Fashion House Balenciaga and taken over by the Georgian designer Demna, said the parent company Kering on Monday.
Piccioli, who previously worked at Valentino, will present his first collection in October after Demna went to Gucci, said the French conglomerate, which belongs to both Balenciaga and Gucci.
Piccioli's “Haute Couture championship, creative voice and passion for craft makes him an ideal choice” to take over in Paris in Balenciaga in Paris, and “Kühner and unmistakable vision,” said Kerer Executive Francesca Bellettini in a explanation.
Piccioli left Valentino in 2024 after 25 years as a creative director at the Italian luxury brand.
Piccioli said it wanted to “add a new chapter” to Balenciaga's story.
Demas departure was announced in March after a number of daring but sometimes controversial designs.
His hits included the looks for rapper Cardi B and a headline grabbing-von head-to-black outfit for Kim Kardashian at the Met Gala in 2021.
His mistakes included an advertising campaign the following year, in which children with teddy bear bags with tunnels and straps -criticized -because he looked like Bondage equipment.
Demna apologized to the sides of fashion and denied any intention to refer children's abuse.
He took over Gucci when Kering tried to turn the Italian brand around, which suffers from brilliant sales.
May/AC/JHB/TW