PARIS (AP) 鈥� Pierpaolo Piccioli, who left Valentino last year, is the new creative director of the parent company Kering announced Monday.
He replaces Demna, who joined Balenciaga in 2015 and has in a shake-up of Kering's creative stable. Gucci is also owned by Kering. Piccioli takes over at Balenciaga on July 10.
鈥淲hat I am receiving is a brand full of possibilities that is incredibly fascinating. I must first and foremost thank Demna; I鈥檝e always admired his talent and vision. I couldn鈥檛 ask for a better passing of the torch,鈥�
He will head womenswear, menswear, accessories and couture at the Paris-based house.
Demna, who goes by one name, was not without controversy, often taking on political and social issues of the day. Piccioli is viewed as more of a romantic than a disrupter.
The Associated Press
