Pierpaolo Piccioli presented his debut couture collection for Balenciaga on Wednesday at a sunlit outdoor venue in Paris. The Italian designer drew on the house's archive while introducing his signature use of color.
The show took place at Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris, marking a change from previous Balenciaga couture presentations held in the brand's salons. Guests included Demi Moore, Naomi Watts, Cynthia Erivo and Isabelle Huppert.
Standout looks featured an iridescent black rooster feather headpiece created with Philip Treacy and a grass-green silk gazar gown. Piccioli said during a Tuesday preview that working in couture allows for experimentation and innovation shared with the atelier team.
Kering, the parent company, reported that Balenciaga has returned to growth, with leather goods driving recent quarters. The house recorded estimated sales of €1.47 billion in 2025.
Industry figures praised the collection. Law Roach noted the vibrant colors and love for couture, while Suzy Menkes highlighted its grandeur and exceptional quality.