Pierpaolo Piccioli Ushers in a Romantic New Era for His Haute Couture Debut at Balenciaga
Fusing sculptural tailoring with poetic craftsmanship.
Pierpaolo Piccioli made his highly anticipated Balenciaga Haute Couture debut with a collection that fused the house’s sculptural codes with his signature romanticism. Presented in the courtyard of the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris, the Fall/Winter 2026 show unfolded beneath the midday sun, allowing the open-air setting to bring a sense of movement to the meticulously crafted garments.
Soundtracked by British singer Anohni, a longtime collaborator from Piccioli’s Valentino years, the collection carried an emotional undercurrent from start to finish. While traces of the designer’s previous work were evident, the debut ultimately felt like the beginning of a new era for Balenciaga.
Texture took center stage throughout the lineup, with minimalist silhouettes transformed through intricate couture techniques. Fuzzy oversized trousers, tubular embroidery and silky fringed details added depth to clean, architectural shapes, while tailoring and fluid draping merged seamlessly within individual looks.
One standout featured a deceptively simple black T-shirt dress with a fully tailored bodice and a softly flowing skirt, highlighting Piccioli’s ability to balance structure with ease. Eveningwear followed the same philosophy, including a sculptural black bustier gown finished with cascading pleated chiffon. Elsewhere, a dramatic strapless dress adorned with more than 24,000 shredded gazar petals swayed gently in the breeze, capturing the poetic craftsmanship defining Piccioli’s first couture chapter at Balenciaga.
The debut signals a softer, more romantic vision for the House, one that lets emotion and fantasy take center stage. Check out some of the looks above and head to the brand’s website for more.
For more from couture week, Chanel’s showcase was pure whimsy.
