Pierpaolo Piccioli
Outgoing Creative Director, Valentino
After eight years sharing his role with Maria Grazia Chiuri, he took up the mantle as the Italian maison’s sole creative director.
Pierpaolo Piccioli is the creative director of Balenciaga. His designs, as seen during his tenure at Valentino, are best known for deft use of colour and sculptural, poetic haute couture.
With his long-time creative partner Maria Grazia Chiuri , Pierpaolo Piccioli oversaw Valentino’s creative direction for eight years, during which time they modernised its couture DNA to fit the contemporary consumer and boosted annual revenue to $1 billion in 2015. As of July 2016, Chiuri decamped to Dior and Piccioli became Valentino’s sole creative director.
An alumnus of Rome’s Istituto Europeo di Design , Piccioli first met Chiuri through a mutual friend in the early 1980s. In 1989, he began working alongside her in Fendi’s accessories department, marking the beginning of a two-decade creative partnership.
In 1999, the pair moved to Valentino as accessory designers. They revamped the luxury brand’s handbag and eyewear collections, were put in charge of designing the brand's diffusion line Red Valentino in 2003, and later oversaw its entire accessories range. Then, shortly after Valentino Garavani ’s retirement in 2008, and following Alessandra Facchinetti 's year-long tenure as creative director, Chiuri and Piccioli were appointed co-creative directors.
Though still a red carpet favourite, Valentino was struggling to reclaim the international cachet it once had. Chiuri and Piccioli pushed Valentino back to the forefront of fashion, breathing new creative energy into the brand, revitalising its menswear business and growing its accessories division with blockbuster styles like the Rockstud. In 2015, Chiuri and Piccioli received the CFDA International Award. In July 2016, when Chiuri was appointed artistic director of Dior, Piccioli became Valentino’s sole creative director. Since heading up the fashion house solo the brand has seen large success — his Autumn/Winter 2018 haute couture for the house received a standing ovation.
In 2024, Valentino announced that Piccioli was to exit his role as creative director at the luxury brand after 25 years.
In May 2025, Balenciaga announced that Piccioli was appointed at the helm of Balenciaga. He succeeded Demna as creative director of the French house.
Career History
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Why Every Fashion Brand Thinks It’s a Sportswear Label Now
From Balenciaga to Old Navy, all sorts of fashion brands are attempting to capitalise on the activewear boom with collections of sweats, shorts and workout tees. Sometimes these clothes stick the landing, but it often comes off as just sweaty.
Why Every Fashion Brand Thinks It’s a Sportswear Label Now
From Balenciaga to Old Navy, all sorts of fashion brands are attempting to capitalise on the activewear boom with collections of sweats, shorts and workout tees. Sometimes these clothes stick the landing, but it often comes off as just sweaty.
Balenciaga Embraces Sports. Will Sports Return The Love?
Pierpaolo Piccioli is embracing sports in a major way with Balenciaga’s new Pre-Fall 2026 collection. It’s a bit of a risky move, but the question is whether it’ll work with fans from both sides of the fashion and sports aisles.
Balenciaga Embraces Sports. Will Sports Return The Love?
Pierpaolo Piccioli is embracing sports in a major way with Balenciaga’s new Pre-Fall 2026 collection. It’s a bit of a risky move, but the question is whether it’ll work with fans from both sides of the fashion and sports aisles.
‘Less Cynical, More Human’: Inside Pierpaolo Piccioli’s Balenciaga Vision
With his latest collection for men and women, Piccioli confirms a softer, less confrontational direction for the Parisian house known for its radical fashion statements. ‘There's nothing worse than trying to be cool,’ the designer said.
‘Less Cynical, More Human’: Inside Pierpaolo Piccioli’s Balenciaga Vision
With his latest collection for men and women, Piccioli confirms a softer, less confrontational direction for the Parisian house known for its radical fashion statements. ‘There's nothing worse than trying to be cool,’ the designer said.
What Comes After Viral Fashion?
This week in luxury, calculated risk-taking wins the red carpet at the Golden Globes, while Brunello Cucinelli and Richemont report Q4 sales. Plus, what to watch for at Milan men’s week.
What Comes After Viral Fashion?
This week in luxury, calculated risk-taking wins the red carpet at the Golden Globes, while Brunello Cucinelli and Richemont report Q4 sales. Plus, what to watch for at Milan men’s week.
A Lost Weekend in Paris: Chapter One
From A to B with Alaïa and Balenciaga, writes Tim Blanks.
A Lost Weekend in Paris: Chapter One
From A to B with Alaïa and Balenciaga, writes Tim Blanks.
Did Fashion’s Season of Change Actually Change Anything? Yes and No
This season will be remembered as one of the most heavily debated, and divisive, moments in the history of the modern fashion industry, writes Angelo Flaccavento.
Did Fashion’s Season of Change Actually Change Anything? Yes and No
This season will be remembered as one of the most heavily debated, and divisive, moments in the history of the modern fashion industry, writes Angelo Flaccavento.
The Logic Behind Balenciaga’s Pierpaolo Piccioli Appointment
Kering has named the former Valentino designer known for his deft use of colour and sculptural couture to succeed Demna in an apparent reset at the Paris-based brand.
The Logic Behind Balenciaga’s Pierpaolo Piccioli Appointment
Kering has named the former Valentino designer known for his deft use of colour and sculptural couture to succeed Demna in an apparent reset at the Paris-based brand.
Pierpaolo Piccioli Is Exiting Valentino
A new creative configuration will be announced soon, the Roman couture house said.
Pierpaolo Piccioli Is Exiting Valentino
A new creative configuration will be announced soon, the Roman couture house said.
How Valentino’s Pierpaolo Piccioli Harnesses the Power of Colour
The designer has made deft experimentation with colour a hallmark of his aesthetic at the Roman house. Previously known for its signature red, Valentino has expanded its palette under Piccioli — from blistering magenta to dusty electric blues — turning the use of colour into a powerful brand signifier in the process.
How Valentino’s Pierpaolo Piccioli Harnesses the Power of Colour
The designer has made deft experimentation with colour a hallmark of his aesthetic at the Roman house. Previously known for its signature red, Valentino has expanded its palette under Piccioli — from blistering magenta to dusty electric blues — turning the use of colour into a powerful brand signifier in the process.
In Paris, Global Fashion Community Fetes The BoF 500 Class of 2023
Members of the industry index including Pierpaolo Piccioli and Francesca Bellettini connected over cocktails and canapes in Paris, celebrating new entrants including Pharrell Williams, Karol G and Sabato De Sarno.
In Paris, Global Fashion Community Fetes The BoF 500 Class of 2023
Members of the industry index including Pierpaolo Piccioli and Francesca Bellettini connected over cocktails and canapes in Paris, celebrating new entrants including Pharrell Williams, Karol G and Sabato De Sarno.
What is The BoF 500?
The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
