Valentino is bidding farewell to Pierpaolo Piccioli after his 25-year tenure with the fashion house. Piccioli, who has served as the creative director for the past eight years, is stepping down from his role. The decision was described as a 'joint decision' by Valentino, with plans to announce new leadership in the future.
Piccioli's journey in the fashion industry began after graduating from the Istituto Europeo di Design school. He crossed paths with his creative partner, Maria Grazia Chiuri, in the 1980s. The duo collaborated at Fendi before joining Valentino in 1999 to work on accessories. In 2008, they were appointed as co-creative directors of the fashion house.
Under their leadership, Valentino experienced significant growth, surpassing $1 billion in revenue in 2015. However, when Chiuri departed for Dior in 2016, Piccioli continued to steer Valentino's creative direction solo.
Valentino's chief executive, Jacopo Venturini, expressed gratitude towards Piccioli for his contributions, stating, 'I am grateful to Pierpaolo for his role as creative director and for his vision, commitment, and creativity that have shaped Maison Valentino.'
Reflecting on his time at Valentino, Piccioli shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, acknowledging the support he received from the brand's founders and the team that helped bring his creative vision to life. He expressed his appreciation for the privilege of sharing his journey and dreams with those who contributed to the brand's success.
As Piccioli embarks on a new chapter, the fashion world eagerly anticipates the announcement of Valentino's new creative leadership. Piccioli's departure marks the end of an era at Valentino, but his legacy of innovation and creativity will continue to inspire the industry.
