Valentino’s former designer Pierpaolo Piccioli will take over as Balenciaga’s creative director starting July 2024, marking a bold new chapter for the brand.

Kering said it appointed Pierpaolo Piccioli as the new creative director of Balenciaga as the French luxury group faces a slowdown in demand for high-end goods, coupled with its own turnaround challenges.

Balenciaga has found its new creative director, and it’s a familiar name. Pierpaolo Piccioli has been appointed to the position, replacing Demna, who announced in March that he’d be departing for fellow Kering brand Gucci.