by Fashion Editorial Staff
The designer, creative director since 2016, began working for the maison alongside founder Valentino Garavani. The company: «Leaves an indelible mark». Soon the announcement of a new “creative organization” and the rumors speak of Alessandro Michele
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Pierpaolo Piccioli he leaves the role of creative director of the Valentino fashion house which he has held since 2016. The news was communicated by the Roman fashion house, owned by the Qatari fund Mayhoola and Kering (to 30%, which will rise to 100% by 2028). The reasons for the farewell were not specified, while both parties underlined the importance – also in the history of the maison – of the contribution that the designer was able to give in the 25 years spent in the company. He had in fact entered Piazza Mignanelli in 1999.
«I am grateful to Pierpaolo for his role as creative director and for his vision, commitment and creativity which have brought the Valentino maison to what it represents today» said in a note Jacopo Venturini, CEO of the maison founded by Valentino Garavani. President Rachid Mohamed Rachid echoes him: «His contribution over the last 25 years will leave an indelible mark».
New organization soon. The rumors want Michele
While the company in the note talks about the announcement of a “new creative organization” which should be made shortly, the rumors would have identified Alessandro Michele as Pier Paolo Piccioli’s replacement. Unforgotten creative director of Gucci’s golden era, ithe Roman creative left the double G brand in December 2022. It would also have been CEO Jacopo Venturini who wanted him in Piazza Mignanelli, who in the “Michele era” was one of the four key managers of Gucci (executive vp merchandising & global markets), under the supervision of the then CEO Marco Bizzarri.
Who is the former creative director of the Valentino fashion house
Piccioli, born in Nettuno in 1967, studied at the European Institute of Design in Rome where in the 1980s he met Maria Grazia Chiuri, his creative partner for many years, first at Fendi and then at Valentino. The creative duo, in fact, landed in the company founded by Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti in 1999 and took over the reins – after a brief period with Alessandra Facchinetti – at the time of the great couturier’s farewell (in 2008). After a period of co-direction, in 2016 Piccioli remained the sole creative director of Valentino following the departure of Chiuri who now heads the Dior maison. In addition to having contributed to bringing the company to 1.4 billion euros in revenues in 2022 (latest data available), redesigning the identity of an iconic brand through the elegant redefinition of the icons themselves (such as the “Valentino red”, alongside from the “pink Valentino”), has won several awards: from Designer of the Year 2022 to the British Fashion Awards to the Italian Cultural Presidio Award of the Cultura Italiae association in 2023. In 2019 he was included in the list of 100 people by the American magazine Time most influential in the world.
«Not all stories have a beginning and an end, some live a kind of eternal present that shines with an intense light, so strong that it leaves no shadows. I have been in this company for 25 years, and for 25 years I have existed and lived together with the people who with me have woven the threads of this beautiful story that is mine and ours – wrote Piccioli in the joint note with the company -. 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 everyone, and which remains immutable and tangible.”
Thanks to the collaborators. And on the future: «I feel young and free»
And he added: «I carry this heritage of love, dreams, beauty and humanity with me, today and forever. This is the beauty we have created, it is life, hope, opportunity and gratitude, it is my people, my heart, it is the love that gives you all the possibilities in the world, especially those that you could not imagine alone. Thanks to every single person who made all of this possible in one way or another, it has been a privilege and an honor to share my journey, and my dreams, with you. And thanks to Mr. Valentino and Giancarlo Giammetti who gave me theirs.”
On his Instagram account, Piccioli then told a series of personal and intimate anecdotes: «Antonietta’s perfect hairstyles remain with me, Simona’s face telling me that we are waiting for Pietro two weeks after my arrival here, the fantastic visions of Giammetti and Valentino red.” Finally, a look at the future: «Stella (the daughter, ed.) was two years old when she came to see my first fashion show, she is about to turn 18 and the other evening she asked me: “How do you feel?” “Young and free,” I replied. I give you my eyes to see you as I see you. Young and free. And full of dreams. Always”.
The reactions on social media, from Valentino to Sabato De Sarno
Among the most recent comments on the news, that of Valentino Garavani, founder of the maison in 1960, who wrote on his Instagram profile: «Thank you @pppiccioli, first and foremost for your friendship, respect and support. You are the only designer I know who hasn’t tried to distort the codes of a great brand by imposing others and the megalomania of a ridiculous ego. When I retired I said: “I want to leave the party when it’s still full of people.” And the same happens to you, PP, the party is full of people and everyone applauds you. Thanks friend!”.
Words of esteem also from Giancarlo Giammetti, Valentino Garavani’s life and business partner, who commented on Piccioli’s announcement on Instagram: «We love you and we are proud of what you have given to our company and to the name that door, you were able to describe Valentino in your own way but with enormous respect and love for the standards that Valentino created, thank you PP for these 20 years together and may your journey continue with your head held high and with the success you deserve.”
The farewell was commented on by some of the most important in international fashion: «What an extraordinary Valentino you made. What a gift for everyone there and for all of us,” wrote Marc Jacobs. Designer Brian Atwood, however, commented: «you have created the beauty that dreams are made of. What a good PP.” Zac Posen writes «you made magic and brought elegance, imagination and drama. You honored a master while continuing to nourish your voice.” Supermodel Naomi Campbell calls him “a divine storyteller, a visionary… proud to have worked with you, and I await your new chapter.” Finally, Sabato De Sarno, Piccioli’s former right-hand man who made his debut as creative director of Gucci last year (with the first months after the market launch of his creations partially “photographed” in a negative quarterly) wrote «I had the privilege of sharing a part of this journey with you. And it was unforgettable.”