The alteration of the creative director: from media profile to anonymity

Over the past few years, we have witnessed countless appointments of creative directors whose media role has been questioned. A trend that may have started with the appointment of Virgil Abloh as creative director of Louis Vuitton, and could end with that of Pharrell, who recently acquired the same title for the same brand.

Brands, beyond going for emerging designers, are opting for established designers who are not just going to put their name on the label. At the end of May 2023, both Bally and Ann Demeulemeester hired relatively anonymous designers to fill their creative director positions. Bally swapped RHUDE founder Rhuigi for Gucci veteran Simone Bellotti, while Ann Demeulemeester replaced Ludovic de Saint Sernin with Stefano Gallici, former assistant to Haider Ackermann.

These last few weeks, the revolution in changing of the guard seems to have distorted the system more than ever before through new nomadic variations within the fashion universe: while Off-White™ names Cristiano Fagnani as its new CEO, Ann Demeulemeester names Stefano Gallici as its new creative director. Let’s take a look at these title changes suspended in anonymity.

Ann Demeulemeester appoints Stefano Gallici as new Creative Director

Following the recent departure of Ludovic de Saint Sernin from Ann Demeulemeester, the brand has named Stefano Gallici as its new creative director.

After studying fashion design at the Università Iuav di Venezia in Venice, Gallici was assistant designer to Haider Ackermann. A few years ago, in January 2019, the designer moved to Antonioli Group, which acquired Ann Demeulemeester the following year. Since then, Gallici has played a key role in the brand’s development, having previously been a menswear designer at the Belgian house.

Stefano‘s infinite creativity and his vision of Ann Demeulemeester will now redefine the DNA of the brand in which he will debut with a first collection for the high-end house on September 30 during Paris Fashion Week.

Bally appoints Simone Bellotti as new Design Director

Following the departure of Rhuigi Villaseñor as creative director of Bally, after an ephemeral period of one year, Simone Bellotti, a Gucci alumnus, will take over as creative director of the Swiss brand.

Bellotti joined the brand in October 2022 and will now lead all internal design operations. The Milan native has previously held senior positions at Bottega Veneta, Dolce & Gabbana and Gianfranco Ferré in ready-to-wear, tailoring and accessories.

“It is a great honor to be appointed Design Director at Bally and to be tasked with contributing to Bally’s extraordinary legacy,” said Bellotti. “The House’s unique Swiss heritage, coupled with its beautiful history rooted in a pioneering spirit and a relentless pursuit of excellence, is a powerful inspiration.”

Bellotti, meanwhile, will roll out his first collection for the Swiss fashion house during Milan Fashion Week in September 2023. Expectations are sky-high.