Valentino and creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli are parting ways. The marriage between the parties was one of the longest lasting in fashion. Piccioli had joined Valentino in 1999 as head of accessories. In 2008, he had become co-creative director of the brand together with Maria Grazia Chiuri. Since July 2016, with Chiuri’s move to Dior, he had been appointed head of the Style Office. Along with the news, the inevitable rumours about the possible replacement also circulated: from Alessandro Michele to the sensational return of Maria Grazia Chiuri. But above all: where will Piccioli go?
Valentino and Piccioli part ways
“We extend our deepest thanks to Pierpaolo for writing an important chapter in the history of the Valentino Maison. His contribution over the past 25 years will leave an unforgettable mark”, says Rachid Mohamed Rachid, president of Valentino. The brand’s new creative organisation will be announced shortly, reads a note from the brand. “I am grateful to Pierpaolo”, says CEO Jacopo Venturini, “for his role as creative director and for his vision, commitment and creativity that brought Valentino to what it is today”.
An emotional farewell message
“Not all stories have a beginning and an end”, commented Piccioli (in the Imagoeconomica photo). “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. Everything has existed and exists thanks to the people I have known, with whom I have worked, with whom I have shared dreams and created beauty, with whom I have built something that belongs to everyone, and which remains immutable and tangible.
This heritage of love, dreams, beauty and humanity, I carry with me, today and forever will. 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 you could not imagine on your own. Thank you to every single person who has made this possible in one way or another, it has been a privilege and an honour to share my journey, and my dreams, with you. And thank you to Mr. Valentino and Giancarlo Giammetti who handed me their dreams”.
Rumours explode
Mayhoola, the Qatar-based fund, is going through a shake-up of senior roles. Earlier this week, it announced the departure of Balmain CEO Jean-Jacques Guével. His successor has yet to be named. Now another chair left vacant is added: that of Piccioli. Who could occupy it? The “names pool” was immediately triggered. The first name, needless to say, is that of the former Gucci Alessandro Michele, but relations between Valentino and Kering (owner of Gucci) could cool this track. Kering, in fact, holds 30% of Valentino, and could reach 100% by 2028.
The second hypothesised name is far more sensational: the return of Maria Grazie Chiuri. But will Dior (owned by LVMH) be willing to let go of the star of its growth by seeing her land with a competitor? And there is also another question – perhaps the most pressing – waiting to be answered: what will Piccioli’s future be? Might he not end up reuniting with his former collaborator at Valentino, Sabato De Sarno, at the helm of Gucci?
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