Pierpaolo Piccioli leaves Balenciaga after less than 16 months, the third designer exit at Kering in weeks
The Reuters report (via Asharq Al-Awsat) sets the exit against Saint Laurent's and McQueen's recent departures and Kering's sales slump.
Kering said on Thursday, Nov. 5, that Balenciaga creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli is leaving after less than 16 months. Piccioli, who spent 25 years at Valentino, replaced Demna, who moved to Gucci. The exit follows the recent departures of Anthony Vaccarello from Saint Laurent, Kering's second-biggest brand, and Sean McGirr from Alexander McQueen, as the group tries to reverse years of falling sales.
Kering CEO Luca de Meo called Piccioli "an exceptional couturier and creative talent" and said the group wants to "build on Balenciaga's avant-garde spirit." Kering said the house's new creative direction will be announced shortly. U.S. outlet Puck has reported that British-Jamaican designer Martine Rose, who consulted on menswear at Balenciaga under Demna, will take over; Kering did not confirm that.
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The Martine Rose name comes from Puck's reporting; Kering has only said a new creative direction is coming 'shortly.' Expect a flurry of speculation posts. What is confirmed: Piccioli is out, and Kering has now changed designers at three of its houses in a few weeks.
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Cristóbal Balenciaga
After exploring Balenciaga Designer Piccioli to Exit after a Year in Latest Departure at Kering, for the couturier the house is named after, read about Cristóbal Balenciaga.
Wikipedia on the Spanish founder of the house, whom Christian Dior called 'the master of us all'.
Wikipedia · Wade · 5 min
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