2026 is the year of fashion huge reset. From the return of The Devil Wears Prada to the resurgence of Gossip Girl on Netflix, literally everyone is talking about fashion again.
But beyond the pop culture, something much bigger is happening behind the scenes.
Luxury fashion is experiencing one of the most dramatic changes. This season, 15 creative directors debuted at biggest fashion houses, including Chanel, Loewe, Dior, Gucci, Balenciaga, and even Zara. Legendary designers are leaving the brands they helped define, and taking over entirely new ones. As fashion lovers, I am glad to be able to experience this iconic year. Here’s some of the main moves you mustn’t miss.
This is not just the new hire, but the reShuffle
Matthies Blazy: Bottega Veneta to CHANEL
After 3 successful years at Bottega Veneta, Matthies Blazy has been appointed creative director of Chanel. During his tenure, the house reported a 6 percent jump in comparable revenue in 2024, significantly outperforming the wider luxury market. Having previously worked at Celine and Calvin Klein, I cannot take my eye off of Blazy-era Chanel.
Michael Rider: Polo Ralph Lauren to CELINE
Michael Rider‘s appointment at Celine marks a homecoming. After graduating Brown University, Rider spent a decade working under Phoebe Philo at Celine, serving as design director. He later led the women’s division at Polo Ralph Lauren, where he refined the brand’s modern American heritage, and now returns to Celine.
Demna: Balenciaga to Gucci
Few designers have generated as much conversation as Demna, selected to the Times 100 Most Influential People of 2022.
He was a creative director of Balenciaga for a decades and made a collaboration of streetwear and luxury fashion, changing the engagement of younger generations with luxury brands. Under his direction, Balenciaga grew into a multi-billion-euro business and became one of the most talked-about brands in fashion.
Now at Gucci, He suggests a shift from recent retro aesthetic toward a sharper and edgy vision.
Alessandro Michele: Gucci to Valentino
Before Demna‘s arrival at Gucci, Alessandro Michele spent nearly a decade resulting in extraordinary commercial growth while making Gucci one of the most culturally influential brands of the 2010s. His achievements earned him numerous industry honors, including the British Fashion Awards’ International Designer Award.
Now at Valentino, Michele brings his distinctive creative universe to a house known for elegance and romance, creating one of the industry’s most intriguing new combinations.
Peirpaolo Piccioli: Valentino to Balenciaga
Peirpaolo Piccioli is the next role of Balenciaga after Demna.
Widely admired for his sculptural, poetic couture, Piccioli spent a decade as a co-creative director at Valentino, first alongside Maria Grazia Chiuri and later as sole creative director.
His appointment marks a dramatic contrast to Demna’s streetwear-influenced approach and suggests a renewed emphasis on couture, craftsmanship, and artistic expression at Balenciaga.
Maria Grazia Chiuri: DIOR to FENDI
After leaving Valentino, she was appointed as Dior‘s first female creative director. She oversaw a transformative period for the house. She revived the iconic Saddle Bag with its celebrity marketing and introduced enduring successes like the Dior Book Tote.
Awarded the Légion d’honneur, France’s highest honour, Chiuri has now moved to Fendi, where her vision will shape yet another historic Italian fashion house.
Jonathan Anderson: LOEWE to DIOR
One of the industry’s most decorated figures Jonathan Anderson moved to Dior after his iconic 11 years at Loewe.
During his years at Loewe, he transformed the house into one of the industry’s most respected brands and created modern icons such as the Puzzle Bag. His contributions to fashion and culture earned him recognition beyond the industry, including his appointment as a trustee of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
His move to Dior is historic. Anderson becomes the first designer since Christian Dior himself to oversee womenswear, menswear, and haute couture simultaneously, placing him at the center of one of fashion’s most powerful maison.
Jach McCollough and Lazaro Hermandez: Proenza Schouler to LOEWE
Following Anderson’s departure, Loewe appointed Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez as co-creative directors. Leaving their own label Proenza Schouler, their appointments must bring Loewe a new chapter.
John Galliano: Maison Margiela to ZARA
Perhaps the most surprising announcement of all came from Zara.
The brand revealed a two-year creative partnership with John Galliano, sending shockwaves throughout the fashion world.
Before leading Maison Margiela, Galliano built legendary careers at Givenchy and Dior, where he created some of the most memorable runway shows in fashion history. His years at Dior are often regarded as one of the greatest eras of modern couture, defined by theatricality, fantasy, and extraordinary craftsmanship.
His collaboration with Zara represents a rare meeting of haute couture creativity and global accessibility. His first collection is expected to arrive in stores this September.
Glenn Martend: DIESEL to Maison Margiela
Designer taking Galliano’s place at Maison Margiela is Glenn Martens.
Known for his innovative deconstruction techniques and experimental approach to design from the study of interior architecture before fashion, Martens gained widespread acclaim through his work at Diesel. His appointment feels particularly fitting given his long-standing connection to OTB Group, which owns both Diesel and Maison Margiela.
Many industry observers are eager to see how he interprets one of fashion’s most influential and conceptual houses.
Why Is This Happening Now?
Following a slowdown in luxury spending around 2024, fashion houses are searching for new ways to capture consumer attention again. To bring the upper classes back, many brands are turning to experienced creative leaders to emphasize the beautiful tailoring, couture heritage,and timeless values.
This industry-wide search for renewal has triggered an unprecedented wave of appointments, creating directors shuffling among houses.
The impact extends beyond the runway. In the secondary resale and vintage market, demand for pieces associated with former creative directors has surged, as collectors and fashion enthusiasts rush to secure items from defining eras before new chapters begin.
Can’t wait to see these iconic designers new career
Building a legacy at one fashion house does not mean a designer can automatically recreate the same magic somewhere else. In many ways, their first collection is only the beginning. Fashion insiders will be watching not only their debut collections, but also their second and third seasons, where their true vision and long-term direction for the house begin to take shape.
How these designers will redefine their new houses is something we can’t wait to see.
So excited to see what comes next on the runway!