Weekly Fashion Highlights | Pierpaolo Piccioli appointed Creative Director of Balenciaga...

The biggest headline in fashion this week is the appointment of Italian designer Pierpaolo Piccioli as the new Creative Director of Balenciaga. He will officially step into the role on July 10, 2025, succeeding Demna, who is transitioning to Gucci. This high-profile shift marks a significant turning point for the Kering Group and signals a possible redefinition of Balenciaga’s creative direction.

In parallel, ASICS reported an impressive 18.7% year-on-year revenue growth in Europe for Q1 2025—underscoring the strong potential for sportswear brands that bridge lifestyle appeal and technical performance.

Pierpaolo Piccioli Appointed As Balenciaga's New Creative Director

This week, French luxury conglomerate Kering announced the appointment of Italian designer Pierpaolo Piccioli as the new Creative Director of Balenciaga, effective July 10. This significant leadership change follows the departure of Demna Gvasalia, who is set to take over as Creative Director at Gucci. Piccioli's appointment marks a strategic shift for Balenciaga, aiming to blend the brand's rich heritage with a renewed focus on elegance and emotional resonance.

Piccioli brings over two decades of experience from Valentino, where he served as Creative Director from 2008 to 2024. During his tenure, he was celebrated for his romantic and inclusive designs, notably introducing the "Pink PP" collection that became a cultural phenomenon. His work emphasized craftsmanship, diversity, and a modern interpretation of couture, dressing celebrities like Florence Pugh, Rihanna, and Zendaya. His departure from Valentino marked the end of a transformative era for the brand.

Balenciaga, under Demna's leadership since 2015, was known for its avant-garde and provocative designs, which, while garnering attention, also led to controversies. Piccioli's arrival is anticipated to steer the brand towards a more refined and emotionally engaging aesthetic. His debut collection for Balenciaga is scheduled for October 2025 during Paris Fashion Week. Kering's Deputy CEO, Francesca Bellettini, expressed confidence in Piccioli's vision, stating that his mastery of haute couture and passion for craftsmanship make him the ideal choice to lead Balenciaga into its next chapter.

Piccioli's aesthetic and design philosophy starkly contrast with Demna's, suggesting a significant pivot in the brand's strategic direction. His ability to infuse contemporary elements into established brands positions him as a reassuring choice amid the luxury sector's current deceleration. As we anticipate Piccioli's influence, the question remains: can his arrival unlock new avenues for both Balenciaga and the Kering Group? Only time will tell.

Chanel Faces First Revenue Decline Since 2020 Amid Global Luxury Market Challenges

French luxury house Chanel reported a 4.3% decline in annual revenue, totaling $18.7 billion, marking its first revenue decrease since 2020. Operating profit also fell by 30% to $4.48 billion. The downturn was primarily attributed to weakened demand in Asia, particularly China, where sales decreased by 7.1%. The Americas experienced a 4.2% decline, while Europe saw a modest increase of 0.6%.

Despite the challenging economic climate, Chanel increased its capital expenditures by 43% to a record $1.76 billion in 2024, focusing on supply chain integration, boutique expansion, and enhancing customer experience. The company plans to maintain this investment level in 2025, including opening 48 new stores globally, with a focus on the U.S., China, Mexico, India, and Canada.

Chanel appointed Matthieu Blazy as its new artistic director, following the departure of Virginie Viard. Blazy, known for his craftsmanship and expertise, is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the brand. His debut collection is anticipated at the Paris Fashion Week in October 2025. CEO Leena Nair emphasized the company's commitment to long-term growth, stating that Chanel will continue to invest in its brand, craftsmanship, and client experience despite market fluctuations.

Ferragamo's First-Quarter Revenue Fell 2.6%, And The Brand Transformation Is Full Of Challenges

Italian luxury brand Salvatore Ferragamo recently released its first quarter financial report for 2025. The data showed that its revenue fell by 2.6% year-on-year, from 278 million euros in the same period last year to 271 million euros, indicating that the brand is facing continued pressure in the current challenging market environment.

The decline in revenue was mainly affected by the weak performance of the Asia-Pacific market, with sales in the region falling by 8.3%, especially the weak recovery of the Chinese mainland market. At the same time, the European market performed relatively steadily, while the North American market rebounded slightly, with an increase of 1.9%. Although the digital channel still maintained a growth trend, it failed to make up for the impact of the weakness of physical retail. In recent years, Ferragamo has continued to promote the brand's youth and digitalization strategy, appointing former Burberry executive Marco Gobbetti as CEO and inviting designer Maximilian Davis as creative director, intending to attract young consumers through a new image. However, judging from the financial report data, the transformation effect has not yet been fully manifested, and the market's acceptance of the new design style is still on the sidelines. Industry analysts pointed out that the luxury industry is undergoing a change in consumption patterns. Brands need to respond more sensitively to the aesthetic needs and cultural context of the digital generation while maintaining traditional craftsmanship and aesthetics. Ferragamo still faces many challenges in its quest to balance classics and innovation.

Although the current data is not optimistic, Ferragamo said it will continue to deepen its e-commerce layout and optimize its product structure in order to achieve a steady recovery within the year. The brand's "road to revival" is still in progress, and its effectiveness remains to be further tested by the market.

ASICS's Influence In The European Market Has Increased Significantly

Japanese sports brand ASICS achieved significant growth in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region in the first quarter of 2025, with revenue increasing by 18.7% year-on-year to reach record performance levels. This growth was mainly driven by the strong performance of its SportStyle series and apparel categories, which increased by 47.7% and 34.5%, respectively.

In terms of regional performance, the Northwest European market grew by 28.7%, and the French and Northeast European markets also achieved double-digit growth. ASICS continued to maintain its leading position in the high-end running shoe market, while also increasing its market share in core sports such as tennis, indoor sports, and padel. Carsten Unbehaun, CEO of ASICS EMEA, said: "We have a very strong performance in Europe, with continued growth in all categories and channels. We are pleased to continue to receive positive feedback from consumers, experts, and athletes, which clearly shows that our commitment to our mission and innovative products is bearing fruit."

After achieving 1 billion euros in revenue for the first time in 2024 in the EMEA region, ASICS' strong start in the first quarter of 2025 shows that its influence in the European market is continuing to expand. By integrating performance technology with fashionable design, the brand has successfully attracted a wider consumer group and consolidated its dual leadership in the sports and lifestyle fields.

Levi's x sacai SS25 Collection Officially Released

The iconic denim craftsmanship and sacai's unique deconstruction aesthetics reinterpret classic silhouettes, showing a perfect combination of avant-garde and tradition. Highlights of the women's collection include a denim jacket that combines Levi's Type II and Type III design elements, and the back borrows the classic belt buckle details of the Type I jacket, presenting a loose cut with a slightly A-line silhouette. In addition, jackets made of sacai's patented Matelasse embossed twill and jumpsuits with apron-style upper body design all show rich layered structures and elegant lines. For men's wear, the design concept of deconstruction and fusion is continued, and simple and neat denim jackets and double-faced flight jackets are launched. Among them, the outer layer of the double-faced flight jacket has a neat silhouette, and the inner layer shows the details of Levi's classic jackets, such as red ear fabric edges and vintage metal buttons, reflecting sacai's iconic hybrid aesthetics. As for unisex items, the Levi's x sacai Baggy jeans feature a loose fit and mid-rise design, an innovative seven-pocket structure, and a double-sided belt, with exquisite details.

The campaign for this collaboration was shot by the famous photographer Craig McDean, with actor and model Chase Sui Wonders and model Chandler Frye appearing in the campaign. Inspired by the rebellious spirit of James Dean, the campaign showcases a free and innocent fashion attitude. The Levi's x sacai 2025 Spring/Summer collaboration will be available on the Levi's official website, Levi's App, designated Levi's flagship stores, and some sacai retail stores from May 28. This collaboration is not only a tribute to classic denim but also a bold exploration of future fashion trends.

Editor: Juham Lin, Di Su.