Balenciaga has appointed Martine Rose as its new creative director, only hours after announcing the end of its collaboration with Pierpaolo Piccioli. The designer will take up the role on 16 November 2026, FashionNetwork reported. The house said she combines a deep understanding of its creative identity with her own vision of contemporary culture.
Appointment follows Piccioli’s departure
The announcement came on the same day the fashion house confirmed that its collaboration with Pierpaolo Piccioli had ended. According to FashionNetwork, Balenciaga describes the appointment as a new chapter in its creative evolution.
Martine Rose on her new role
“It is a true privilege to be appointed creative director of Balenciaga, a house with an extraordinary heritage and a bold creative spirit,” Ms Rose said.
“Before me, Balenciaga has been shaped by exceptional creative talents. I am determined to honour this legacy and I look forward to writing the next chapter of this rich and wonderful story.”
Statements from Kering and Balenciaga
Luca de Meo, chief executive officer of Kering, Balenciaga’s parent group, said the house has always been defined by radical creativity.
“Martine Rose perfectly embodies this spirit through a fresh, bold, and deeply contemporary vision,” he said. “Her connection with younger generations and her innate understanding of culture bring a new dimension to the house. Her appointment reflects our ambition to keep Balenciaga at the forefront of innovation, creativity, and culture.”
Gianfranco Gianangeli, chairman and chief executive officer of Balenciaga, described Ms Rose as “an extraordinary creative talent, with a bold and highly distinctive vision”.
“Her ability to challenge conventions, reinvent silhouettes, and bring a new perspective to fashion speaks directly to the spirit of innovation that defines Balenciaga,” he added.
Career and own label
Born in 1980, Ms Rose founded her eponymous label in 2007. According to FashionNetwork, her work has had a significant influence on contemporary fashion.
She has built a distinctive design language drawing on subcultures, music, identity and the social codes of dress. She is known for challenging established conventions of fashion and of masculinity, and her work sits between underground culture and the international fashion scene.
Beyond her own collections, she is regarded as one of the industry’s most influential creative collaborators and consultants. She has worked with internationally recognised artists and brands.
Design approach
Her work is closely shaped by the London art scene and the mix of communities, generations and subcultures within it. Her design is marked by an intuitive handling of proportion, silhouette and material, together with an exploration of gender, character and identity.
She often reworks familiar archetypes and everyday clothing into pieces that are both culturally relevant and innovative.
Her runway shows extend the same approach through her choice of venues, her casting and an inclusive vision of beauty.
With information from FashionNetwork
