Martine Rose takes up her role at Balenciaga on 16 November 2026 and will be based in Paris, according to the statement issued by Kering and Balenciaga on 6 November. The appointment was announced one day after Pierpaolo Piccioli's departure, and it closes a tenure that began in July 2025. The statement gives no date for her first collection.
What Martine Rose, Kering and Balenciaga said
"It is a true privilege to be appointed Creative Director of Balenciaga, a House with an extraordinary heritage and a fearless creative spirit. Balenciaga has been shaped by remarkable creative talents before me. I am committed to honoring this legacy and look forward to creating the next chapter in this rich and beautiful story", said Martine Rose.
"Balenciaga has always been a House of radical creativity, challenging conventions and redefining the boundaries of fashion. Martine Rose embodies this spirit with a fresh, fearless and deeply contemporary vision. Her connection to the new generation and her instinctive understanding of culture bring a new dimension to the House. Her appointment reflects our ambition to keep Balenciaga at the forefront of innovation, creativity and culture", said Luca de Meo, CEO of Kering.
"Martine Rose is an extraordinary creative talent with a bold and highly distinctive vision. Her ability to challenge conventions, reinvent silhouettes and bring an unexpected perspective to fashion resonates deeply with the spirit of innovation that defines Balenciaga. We are delighted to welcome her as Creative Director and look forward to this exciting new chapter for the House", said Gianfranco Gianangeli, president and CEO of Balenciaga.
Who is Martine Rose
Rose founded her namesake label in 2007. Kering describes her work as rooted in subculture, music, identity and the social codes of dress, and informed by the communities and generations of London. The Business of Fashion traces her references to UK scenes linked to football, house music, rave and reggae, applied to sportswear, everyday clothes and tailoring. Her label has collaborated with Nike, Supreme and Clarks, and CASAWI reported its third Spring/Summer 2026 collection with Napapijri, a partnership that began in Fall/Winter 2025. She was guest designer at Pitti Uomo in 2023.
Martine Rose at Balenciaga: her years with Demna
The appointment returns Rose to a house she already knows. She worked with Demna on the menswear of Balenciaga for several years, starting after he became creative director in 2015. Demna has since moved to Gucci. According to The Business of Fashion, menswear accounted for as much as half of the revenue of the house during his tenure, while Rose has yet to build a similar record in womenswear and accessories.
The same report notes that Rose is only the second Black woman to take the creative lead at a major European fashion house, after Grace Wales Bonner became menswear designer at Hermès in 2025. Founded by Cristóbal Balenciaga in San Sebastián in 1917 and established in Paris in 1937, the house now covers women's and men's ready-to-wear, couture, accessories and fragrances.
What happens to the Martine Rose label
The statement from Kering does not say how the role will affect her own brand. A majority stake in the label belongs to Tomorrow Ltd., which took it in 2021 and was sold in March 2026 to Andrea Ciccoli, co-founder of the Italian e-commerce company The Level Group, according to The Business of Fashion. That same month, Rose cancelled production of her Fall 2026 collection. In a statement shared with WWD, she said she had been "forced to make the unprecedented decision to cancel the season's production orders".
Kristin Kaye
Insatiably curious about human expression, she immerses herself in literature, theater, art, and dance. Her academic journey led to degrees in Modern Literature, where she delved into The Furioso, and Historical Sciences with a focus on Contemporary History. Her studies took her to the prestigious Erasmus University Rotterdam, broadening her international perspective.
Her passion for culture isn't confined to personal enjoyment—it spills onto the pages of various publications. There, she explores not only artistic endeavors but also civil rights issues and the myriad ways human culture manifests itself. For her, writing about these topics isn't just a profession; it's an irresistible calling that stems from her deep-seated fascination with the human experience.
Share this article
