Balenciaga can't seem to keep a creative director for long. Kering confirmed this week that British-Jamaican designer Martine Rose will take over the Paris fashion house, starting November 16. She replaces Pierpaolo Piccioli, who announced his exit this month after holding the job only since May 2025.
If you follow menswear, Rose isn't a surprise pick so much as a cool one. She launched her own label in 2007, and her clothes draw heavily on the London subcultures she grew up around: the kind of style you'd spot on the street long before you'd see it on a runway. She's done collaborations with Nike and, more recently, Supreme. She also has a history at Balenciaga. When Demna took over as creative director in 2015, Rose joined as a consultant, so she knows the house from the inside.
Everyone involved is talking up the fresh start. Rose called it "a true privilege" and said she's committed to honouring the legacy of the designers who came before her. Balenciaga CEO Gianfranco Gianangeli described her vision as bold and highly distinctive. Kering boss Luca de Meo pointed to her connection with a younger generation and her cultural instinct, saying the hire is meant to keep Balenciaga at the forefront of creativity.
That last part is the real story. Under Demna, Balenciaga became one of the hottest brands in the world, with oversized hoodies, chunky sneakers, and runway shows that felt like art projects. Piccioli, known for his romantic work at Valentino, took a very different direction, and his stint was short. Going with Rose suggests Kering wants the edgy, street-smart energy back.
Image credits: Martine Rose/Andreas Larsson - WWD
