Over the past 25 years, creative Pierpaolo Piccioli has elevated the Valentino brand with his distinguished vision of high-end tailoring. A collaboration that unexpectedly comes to an end this Friday. The fashion house and the Italian designer have announced the end of the collaboration between the two, detailing that it is a mutual decision and praising this union, which is already part of the history of fashion and the legacy of Valentino.
"Valentino and his creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli communicate their joint decision to discontinue their collaboration," the fashion company indicated in a press release, in which they also wanted to highlight the designer's influence on the brand. "He has significantly influenced the trajectory of the House with his vision, dedication and innovative spirit, marking a crucial chapter in the history of the company," they explain in the same writing.
In 2016, Piccioli took over from Maria Grazia Chiuri – whom he met through a mutual friend in the 1980s – as creative director of Valentino. The current head designer at Dior has been since 2008 and was previously responsible for accessories for more than 17 years.
Throughout these years, the couturier has managed to further elevate the legacy of the Italian fashion house thanks to his innovative vision and his drive to challenge the limits of clothing.
"I am grateful to Pierpaolo for his role as creative director and for his vision, commitment and creativity that have brought the Maison Valentino to what it represents today," Valentino CEO Jacopo Venturini told local media. The president of Valentino, Rachid Mohamed Rachid, has joined in the outpouring of praise and wanted to thank Piccioli for his work at the house: "We extend our deepest gratitude to Pierpaolo for having written an important chapter in the history of the Maison Valentino. "His contribution over the last 25 years will leave an indelible mark."
"Not all stories have a beginning and an end, some live a kind of eternal present that shines with a light so intense that it leaves no shadows." This is how Piccioli introduced his farewell to Valetino on his official Instagram account. The creative, who announced that his replacement will be announced shortly, has emphasized those who have accompanied him during this long journey: "I have been in this company for 25 years and for 25 years I have existed and lived alongside people who have woven with me the plots 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, that remains unalterable and tangible. This heritage of love, dreams, beauty and humanity I carry with me, today and forever," he added.
According to Piccioli, "this is the beauty that 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 that you alone could not imagine" .
"Thank you to each and every one of the people who in one way or another have made all of this possible, it has been a privilege and an honor to share my journey and my dreams with you. And thanks to Mr. Valentino and Giancarlo Giammetti, who have delivered theirs," Piccioli concluded.
Among her great designs is the wedding dress she made for businesswoman Marta Ortega at her wedding to Carlos Torreta in 2018. A piece with which, in her own words, she wanted to convey "an imaginary with an unusual sense of romanticism, full of lightness, freshness and intention to illustrate his strong personality".
