Brand intelligence
Balenciaga
Balenciaga is the Paris couture house founded by Cristóbal Balenciaga in Spain in 1917 and established in Paris in 1937. Part of Kering since 2001, it works across ready-to-wear, leather goods, footwear, accessories, fragrance and couture, with a legacy of architectural silhouettes and radical construction. Pierpaolo Piccioli became Creative Director in July 2025 and Gianfranco Gianangeli became CEO in January 2025. The profile keeps those executive and creative roles distinct from Demna’s completed tenure, and distinguishes Balenciaga’s house record from Kering’s consolidated financial reporting.
- Country
- France
- Founded
- 1917
- Creative lead
- Pierpaolo Piccioli
- Ownership
- Kering
- Revenue scope
- Consolidated Kering
- Documented milestones
- 5
- Cristóbal Balenciaga — Founder and Couturier1917–1968 · house · former · Kering
- Nicolas Ghesquière — Creative Director1997–2012 · all fashion · former · LVMH
- Alexander Wang — Creative Director2012–2015 · all fashion · former · Vogue
- Demna — Artistic Director2015–2025 · all fashion · former · Kering
- Peter Copping — Head of Couture2021–2024 · house · former · Lanvin Group
- Pierpaolo Piccioli — Creative Director2025–Present · house · current · Kering
- Cédric Charbit — President and Chief Executive Officer2016–2025 · house · former · Kering
- Gianfranco Gianangeli — Chief Executive Officer2025–Present · house · current · Kering
- 1917 — House foundedCristóbal Balenciaga opens his first fashion house in San Sebastián.
- 1937 — Paris couture house opensBalenciaga establishes the maison on Avenue George V.
- 1947 — Barrel line introducedBalenciaga advances a new sculptural silhouette.
- 2001 — Kering acquisitionThe house joins the group now known as Kering.
- 2025 — Pierpaolo Piccioli appointedPiccioli becomes creative director, succeeding Demna.