Just a few days ago, the luxury group Kering announced the appointment of Pierpaolo Piccioli as the new creative director of Balenciaga. But who is the Italian fashion designer known for clear lines and clear views?
Pierpaolo Piccioli was born in Rome on August 29, 1967. He lives in Nettuno, the coastal city where he grew up, and is the father of three children: Benedetta, Pietro and Stella. Always considering inclusion and equality of the sexes, he wrote on his Instagram page in 2022: “I want my children to be free, I want them to simply be themselves, hope, dream, without even having to be afraid, never. Love for yourself and others must be protected and guaranteed by solid, unshakable rights. “
After graduating from school, Pierpaolo Piccioli wrote down at the Istituto Europeo Di Design in Rome. Already in the first few years he combined his studies with working in the studio. After initial experience, he came to Fendi in 1990 to work on the brand’s accessories.
After Fendi, he moved to Valentino with Maria Grazia Chiuri to develop the resulting accessory line. It was the beginning of a challenge: the rich legacy of the Valentino Couture from clothing to accessories. The tradition, care and creativity of the founder should be preserved. The experiment was successful, and in 2008 Pierpaolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri were appointed creative director: inside of Valentino.
Piccioli “uniform”: white sneakers, classic black pants, black T-shirt
In 2016, after Maria Grazia Chiuri’s departure, Piccioli became the sole creative director of the Valentino fashion house. In March 2024, the designer announced his farewell to Valentino in a joint explanation with the brand.
But who is Pierpaolo Piccioli? Often dressed in his “uniform”: white sneakers, classic black pants, black T-shirt, sunglasses, he chose a photo with the same look for the announcement of his new position as creative director of Balenciaga, but in white, over the t-shirt three chains.
“I like the idea of the uniform, I feel like a worker of fashion. I wanted a workers’ uniform: I wear white sneakers, the same trousers, the same t-shirt. In winter there is also no sweatshirt and coat, in summer nothing or a shirt. And an elastic belt that is always the same … I’ve been dressing up for five or six years in 2022,” he said in an interview with GQ Italia in 2022.
Piccioli: “I’ve never done an internship in my life”
As for the work, he always had clear ideas. “For example, I have never done an internship in my life. In the second year at the Istituto Europeo, I had an interview and said that I would not do an internship: if you wanted to pay me, you should always pay me. Later I always appreciated those who were also because I was also recognized in them. Later, the people of the company to hire me that I was either crazy or a genius. You, but I was not aware of the risk.
This article previously appeared on fashionunited.it and was used with digital tools translated.
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