Martine Rose named Balenciaga creative director after Piccioli’s exit
Kering confirmed on Friday that London menswear designer Martine Rose will succeed Pierpaolo Piccioli at Balenciaga from 16 November, the first creative-director hire under CEO Luca de Meo after a week of luxury leadership churn.
Martine Rose will become creative director of Balenciaga, owner Kering confirmed on Friday, 6 November. She succeeds Pierpaolo Piccioli, whose departure after less than two years was announced on Thursday. The appointment takes effect on 16 November.
Who is Martine Rose
- The British-Jamaican designer’s London label, founded in 2007, mixes sportswear, everyday clothes and tailoring, drawing on UK football, house, rave and reggae culture.
- She previously shaped Balenciaga menswear for several years under Demna, who left for Gucci in March 2025.
- BoF notes she is only the second Black woman to lead a major European fashion house creatively, after Grace Wales Bonner’s menswear role at Hermès in 2025.
Why the change
Piccioli, formerly of Valentino, joined Balenciaga in July 2025 with a romantic couture approach. Reviews were mixed, and Kering said the house was still working through a creative transition. CEO Luca de Meo is also reshuffling Saint Laurent, McQueen and Brioni. “Balenciaga has always been a house of radical creativity… Martine Rose embodies this spirit,” de Meo said in a statement quoted by BoF.
WWD reported Piccioli is the third creative director to leave a Kering brand in less than a month. Menswear was as much as half of Balenciaga’s revenue under Demna; Rose’s womenswear and accessories track record is less proven, BoF cautioned.
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