Kering Furthers Creative Overhaul With Balenciaga Design Chief Exit

By Joshua Kirby

Kering said it was parting ways with the creative director of its fashion house Balenciaga after less than 18 months, continuing a series of recent changes in the luxury group's artistic leadership as it aims to recover sales growth.

Pierpaolo Piccioli will leave the house, the French group said Thursday, with new creative direction to be announced shortly. Piccioli was appointed to lead creative direction at Balenciaga in July last year, replacing Demna Gvasalia, who was tapped for a bigger job at Kering's largest brand, Gucci.

The departure of Piccioli furthers a series of changes in creative direction at Kering's fashion houses; the company last month announced the departure of creative directors at two of its houses, Saint Laurent and Alexander McQueen. The group is aiming to secure a sustained rebound in its top line, having suffered a fresh fall in sales in its most recent quarter, dragged down by persistent travails at Gucci.

Luca de Meo, Kering's chief executive since last year, said the company would aim to build on Balenciaga's avant-garde spirit and heritage.

"Our ambition is... to continue to push creative boundaries, further establishing the house as a powerful and relevant voice," De Meo said.

Write to Joshua Kirby at joshua.kirby@wsj.com; @joshualeokirby

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

November 05, 2026 12:26 ET (17:26 GMT)