Everything You Need To Know About Pierpaolo Piccioli: The New Creative Force Steering Balenciaga
The man affectionately dubbed PPP? Definitely fashion’s MVP.
Fashion’s favourite romantic is back in the spotlight. Pierpaolo Piccioli, 57, the revered Italian designer who spent nearly 25 years crafting ethereal beauty at Valentino, is stepping into a very different house: Balenciaga. Kering confirmed on Monday that Piccioli will succeed Demna as the brand’s new creative director, overseeing womenswear, menswear, accessories – and yes, couture.
While a striking transition, this appointment wasn't entirely out of the blue. Following Piccioli's amicable parting with Valentino in 2024, the fashion world eagerly anticipated his next move. Kering is weathering a rough patch, reporting a 12 per cent drop in revenue for 2024 and creative reshuffles at three of its marquee brands – Gucci, Bottega Veneta and now Balenciaga. Piccioli’s appointment signals not just a leadership change, but potentially a deeper shift in tone.
In a letter to the press, Pierpaolo Piccioli framed his arrival at Balenciaga as "a passing of a torch."
His first Balenciaga collection is due in October 2025. Until then, fashion-watchers are holding their collective breath for how “PPP,” as he’s affectionately known, will translate his poetic design language to a house best known for irony and provocation.
FASHION FORESHADOWING?
His first-ever Instagram post in 2018 feels oddly prophetic – it was a photo of Cristobal Balenciaga’s iconic 1967 wedding gown from the Met’s Heavenly Bodies exhibition. A longtime admirer of the dress for its volume and innovation, he paired the image with a quote by Brancusi: “Simplicity is complexity resolved.” Talk about a full-circle momen
HIS SEAMSTRESSES COME FIRST
Pierpaolo Piccioli’s connection with his atelier team is more than professional – it’s personal. He often brought his seamstresses onstage for post-show bows. For the Spring 2018 couture show, he named each dress after a member of his team – including the four premieres a.k.a. lead seamstresses. By Fall 2018, he handed them the reins, letting them name the dresses themselves – ensuring their artistry was recognised not just in stitches, but in story.
ROOTED IN NETTUNO
Nettuno is a town and comune of the Metropolitan City of Rome in the Lazio region of central Italy, roughly 60km south of Rome.
Born in Rome but raised in Nettuno, a charming coastal town about 64 km south of the capital, Pierpaolo Piccioli keeps a grounded lifestyle. He lives there with his wife Simona and their three children, commuting daily to Rome for work. Despite his global fashion fame, he cherishes family life, filling his home with personal touches like his children’s drawings. So beloved is he in Nettuno that the town offered him honorary citizenship in 2017.
NEXT STOP: PARIS
According to The New York Times, Piccioli is set to move from his home outside Rome to Paris, stepping into his new role at Balenciaga. He’ll have a brief handover period, overlapping with outgoing creative director Demna for about a month before Demna’s final couture show in July.
HE MARRIED HIS HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEART
Beyond the runways, Pierpaolo Piccioli's heart belongs to his high school sweetheart, Simona Caggia. This power couple's bond is seriously old-school: while Pierpaolo was diving into literature at Rome University, Simona, whom he'd met back in their high school days, was busy acing law.
PPP'S EARLY HUSTLE
After hitting the books studying literature, Pierpaolo spotted a fresh fashion program at the Istituto Europeo di Design and jumped in. When he snagged an internship at Brunello Cucinelli, he did the unexpected: he asked for a paycheck. “I wasn’t just playing dress-up; I wanted to show this passion could pay the bills,” he told Vogue.
PIERPAOLO PICCIOLI MADE HIS INDELIBLE MARK… IN THE BAGUETTE
PPP and Maria Grazia Chiuri acknowledged the audience's applause after the Valentino Haute Couture show during Paris Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2012/13 in Paris.
Straight out of design school, Pierpaolo Piccioli teamed up with his longtime friend – and future Valentino partner – Maria Grazia Chiuri at Fendi, under Karl Lagerfeld’s watchful eye. But they weren’t just fetching coffee; alongside Silvia Venturini Fendi, they played a key role in creating the iconic Fendi Baguette. Soon after, they were hired by Valentino to develop the brand’s fledgling accessories division – and the rest, as they say, is fashion history.
PIERPAOLO HAS LINKS TO FASHION’S FIERCEST BOSS: MIRANDA PRIESTLY
Pierpaolo Piccioli, his wife Simona Caggia, and their dog Miranda spotted together at Gucci Ancora during Milan Fashion Week on Sep 22, 2023.
The Piccioli family’s beloved dog, Miranda, is a cherished part of their household – and often makes appearances in family portraits and even fashion events. Named after the iconic Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada, this adopted stray adds a touch of stylish charm to their close-knit home.
HE CREATED A VIRAL COLOUR
Conan Gray poses backstage during Coachella in 2022 wearing a Pink PP look.
In 2022, Piccioli introduced a signature shade known as "Pink PP," a vibrant hot pink that became synonymous with Valentino's identity. The colour gained widespread attention and was embraced by celebrities and fashion enthusiasts alike.
HE'S A CHAMPION OF INCLUSIVITY
Under Piccioli's direction, Valentino's runway shows became known for their diversity and inclusivity. He cast models of various ethnicities, ages, and body types, challenging traditional beauty standards in the fashion industry.