Pierpaolo Piccioli to exit Valentino

March 22, 2024

The maison's top creative voice is leaving the company, ushering in a new era for its fashion stories. Image credit: Valentino

By Luxury Daily News Service

Italian fashion house Valentino is making public a surprising revelation this afternoon on Friday, March 22.

Creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli is exiting the label after 25 years. The news comes after the designer and Valentino came to a “joint decision to end their collaboration,” per a statement issued by the brand.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to Pierpaolo for writing an important chapter in the history of the Maison Valentino,” said Rachid Mohamed Rachid, chairman at Valentino, in a statement.

“His contribution over the past 25 years will leave an indelible mark.”

In farewell fashion
Having been with the company since 1999, Mr. Piccioli has held the title of creative director since 2016.

From his first solo campaign (see story) to last year’s ecofeminist production with British singer-songwriter FKA Twigs during Paris Fashion Week (see story), he has continuously carved out a place for the house at the industry table with his craft.

The creative director staged FKA Twigs's "unearth her" performance at his Paris show to reflect the presented collection's raw materiality. Image credit: Valentino

“I am grateful to Pierpaolo for his role as creative director and for his vision, commitment and creativity that have brought the Maison Valentino to what it stands for today,” said Jacopo Venturini, CEO of Valentino, in a statement.

In the statement released by the company, it asserts that his spirit of innovation, dedication and vision have “significantly influenced” the maison’s path, writing a “crucial chapter” for the Valentino name.

No successor has been named, but the brand has revealed that a new “creative organization” will be shared with the world very soon.

Mr. Piccioli took to Instagram this afternoon with a post expressing his feelings about moving on.

Aside from imagery, he shared a lengthy caption in Italian. In it, he thanks Valentino Garavani himself, as well as cofounder Giancarlo Giammetti, for their trust in him, and everyone else who made his work possible, stating that it has been a “privilege and an honor.”

Mr. Piccioli saw the house through the COVID-19 lockdowns, showcasing his work as the world went into quarantine. Image credit: Valentino

“Not all stories have a beginning or an end, some live a kind of eternal present that shines so bright that it won’t produce any shadows,” Mr. Piccioli wrote.

“I’ve been in this company for 25 years, and for 25 years I’ve existed and I’ve lived with the people who have woven the weaves of this beautiful story that is mine and ours,” he said. “Everything existed and exists thanks to the people I met, with whom I worked, with whom I shared dreams and created beauty, with whom I built something that belongs to all, and that remains immutable and tangible.

“This heritage of love, dreams, beauty and humanity, I carry it with me, today and forever.”

The news comes after Valentino’s $2 billion deal with Swiss conglomerate Kering, which bought a 30 percent stake in the business (see story).

Mr. Piccioli has been with the house a long time, working alongside its top talents. Image credit: Valentino

Just this month, there have been a slew of shakeups across luxury sectors, such as British automaker Bentley’s CEO leaving to serve in the same role at Aston Martin (see story) and the departure of French conglomerate LVMH’s second-in-command (see story). Meanwhile, French fashion label Balmain’s chief leader likewise left his post (see story).

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