MAISON
2015
On October 7, 2015, Demna was appointed Artistic Director of Balenciaga.
His debut for the House, presented in March 2016, introduced a bold new direction centered on realism, transforming utilitarian garments into a modern wardrobe imbued with the attitudes of M. Balenciaga’s couture. His vision for the House extended to menswear with Balenciaga’s first menswear show in June 2016, followed by his unification of the menswear and womenswear presentations in 2018.
Key conceptual and thematic signatures from Demna’s tenure at the House include his reinterpretations of Cristóbal Balenciaga’s codes, exercises in proportion, studies of the “readymade,” trompe-l’oeils, upcycling, a rethinking of fashion’s pre-established rules, and his ongoing examination of the contemporary wardrobe: what people wear, how they wear it, and where the fine line lies between fashion and luxury.
2025
On May 19, 2025, Pierpaolo Piccioli was appointed Artistic Director of Balenciaga, effective July 10, 2025.
Gianfranco Gianangeli, Balenciaga CEO, added:
“I’m excited to begin this new era at Balenciaga with Pierpaolo. 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. 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.”
The first Balenciaga collection under Pierpaolo Piccioli’s creative direction has been unveiled in October 2025.
