Charting Innovation Without Maps: Lessons from 109 Years of Balenciaga Fashion.

Archival 1937 image from the L'Officiel interview article.

Approaching its 110th anniversary in 2027, Balenciaga remains a symbol of enduring innovation in haute couture. With nearly 25 years of experience at Valentino, including 16 as its creative director, Italian designer Pierpaolo Piccioli embarks on a new journey, shaping Balenciaga’s legacy since his appointment as creative director in 2025.

Fashion publication l'Officiel recently featured an interview with Piccioli, offering fascinating insights into his approach to innovation within a design house celebrated for its rich legacy of creativity.

Below is an excerpt from that conversation.

L’O: When you began looking into the world of Cristóbal Balenciaga, was there something that drew you in, or that you immediately felt aligned with?

PPP: I was immediately fascinated by the idea that there were no maps. His path was never about retracing steps, but always about doing new things, following a mental and emotional trajectory. You don’t remember just one silhouette by Cristóbal—you remember many, because all of them are incredible. That’s what I relate to most. I don’t like repeating silhouettes; I prefer inventing new ones using the same method.

In my first show last October, many thought some silhouettes came from Balenciaga’s history. In reality, they were new—Cristóbal never made them. But they were faithful to his path, which for me is the most beautiful thing: creating something new while following the same spirit of creativity.

Explore the full interview published by L'Officiel, along with "must see" archival Balenciaga photos curated by Piccioli, by opening it in a new tab here.

Interested in the intersection of fashion and innovation? Contact us at Solutions Globali and we’ll help you find programs worldwide that match your goals, strengths, and career plans.