Balenciaga has appointed British designer Martine Rose as its new creative director, replacing Pierpaolo Piccioli after just 16 months.
Rose, who will take up the position on 16 November, becomes the latest appointment in a sweeping creative leadership overhaul at the French luxury group under chief executive Luca de Meo.
The 45-year-old designer, who founded her eponymous menswear label in London in 2007, previously worked at Balenciaga for three years under former creative director Demna, who now heads up Gucci.
Known for her streetwear-inspired designs and influences from 1990s rave culture, Rose has built a cult following through her namesake brand and collaborations with Nike and Supreme.
Her appointment signals a shift in direction for Balenciaga as Kering looks to reconnect the luxury fashion house with younger shoppers following several years of slowing sales.
Rose said: “It is a true privilege to be appointed Creative Director of Balenciaga, a House with an extraordinary heritage and a fearless creative spirit.”
She added that she was committed to honouring the brand’s legacy while shaping its next chapter.
Kering chief executive Luca de Meo welcomed the appointment, highlighting Rose’s cultural influence and ability to connect with a new generation of luxury consumers.
Balenciaga chief executive Gianfranco Gianangeli also praised her distinctive creative approach, saying her ability to challenge conventions and reinterpret traditional silhouettes aligned with the fashion house’s identity.
Rose succeeds Piccioli, who joined Balenciaga in July 2025 after a long career at Valentino.
During his short tenure, he presented three ready-to-wear collections and one haute couture line, bringing a more colourful, couture-led aesthetic to the brand following Demna’s decade-long leadership.
Kering is pushing ahead with a wider shake-up of its luxury portfolio in an effort to reverse a prolonged sales slowdown, particularly at its flagship Gucci brand.
It follows the recent departures of Anthony Vaccarello from Saint Laurent and Seán McGirr from Alexander McQueen, both of which remain without creative directors.
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