Social media is buzzing with discussions about who will take over as Balenciaga’s creative director following Demna Gvasalia’s departure in July this year. Among the speculated candidates are Pierpaolo Piccioli, Pieter Mulier, and John Galliano (I’ve shared my thoughts on where John Galliano might go here).
Recently, another contender has emerged online—Kim Jones. Kim Jones led Dior’s menswear line from March 2018, while also working with Fendi starting in September 2020. At Fendi, he was responsible for both haute couture and prêt-à-porter collections, collaborating with Silvia Venturini Fendi, the granddaughter of the brand’s founders, who oversees accessory design. Jones left Fendi in 2024 after a show celebrating the brand’s 100th anniversary and departed from Dior in January 2025.
All candidates are undoubtedly talented, but who will claim the coveted role at Balenciaga remains a mystery. My intuition tells me we’ll find out this summer.
