Fashion creative director appointments, guest appearances, and collaborations 2023–2026: the ultimate cheatsheet
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This page tracks major fashion leadership changes across luxury and independent houses, formatted as a clean “who appointed whom, replacing whom, coming from where” record. It’s built for the exact searches people actually do around designer moves, and it’s meant to make connections visible at a glance, not buried in social feeds.
It currently covers January 2023 through 2026, including moves like Matthieu Blazy to Chanel, Demna to Gucci, Glenn Martens to Maison Margiela, and Jonathan Anderson taking the combined Dior role.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
Appointments, departures, and open seats in 2026
Carven said Mark Thomas will leave the house at the end of April 2026 to pursue other opportunities. Thomas joined Carven in 2023 and was promoted to design director in March 2025 following Louise Trotter’s exit. The house added that its next steps would be announced later in 2026, and that its next show is planned for SS27.
April 2, 2026
Courrèges has appointed Drew Henry as artistic director, with the former Burberry senior design director set to join in May 2026 and debut for the house in September during Paris Fashion Week.
March 30, 2026
Mulberry has appointed Christopher Kane as creative director, with the Scottish designer set to relaunch the brand’s women’s ready-to-wear and debut in September 2026 during London Fashion Week.
March 26, 2026
Oakley has appointed Matthew M. Williams as creative director of apparel, footwear and accessories, signalling broader ambitions across performance and lifestyle.
March 26, 2026
Courrèges has parted ways with Nicolas Di Felice after five years, ending a tenure that gave the house a clear, contemporary edge while marking the next transition for both brand and designer.
March 24, 2026
Zara announced a two-year creative partnership with John Galliano to “re-author” Zara’s archive. The first collection is scheduled to arrive in September 2026.
March 17, 2026
Etro has no named creative director after Marco De Vincenzo’s mutually agreed exit, tied to a new strategic phase for the brand.
March 12, 2026
Nina Ricci has no named creative director after Harris Reed departed for his own label, Harris Reed.
March 11, 2026
Zadig & Voltaire appointed Dan Sablon as creative director. Joined from Vogue France. Replaced Cecilia Bönström.
February 24, 2026
Bally has no named creative director after Simone Bellotti departed for Jil Sander.
February 21, 2026
Noah appointed Brendon Babenzien as creative director, returning to the brand from J.Crew.
February 17, 2026
J.Crew has no named creative director after Brendon Babenzien departed for his own label, Noah.
February 16, 2026
Versace appointed Pieter Mulier as chief creative officer. Joined from Alaïa. Replaced Dario Vitale.
February 5, 2026
Alaïa has no named creative director after Pieter Mulier departed for Versace.
January 30, 2026
Records Stefano Gabbana's resignation as chair, effective 1 January 2026, with CEO Alfonso Dolce taking over as chair while Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana remained in charge of creative direction.
January 1, 2026
Appointments in 2025
Versace and Dario Vitale mutually agree to part ways; departure effective 12 December 2025.
December 4, 2025
7 For All Mankind appointed Nicola Brognano as creative director, tasking him with extending the brand’s denim-led identity into a broader and more cohesive fashion universe.
December 3, 2025
Fendi appointed Maria Grazia Chiuri as chief creative officer. Joined from Dior. Replaced Silvia Venturini.
November 14, 2025
Balmain appointed Antonin Tron as creative director. Joined from Atlein. Replaced Olivier Rousteing.
November 12, 2025
Hermès appointed Grace Wales Bonner as creative director (Men's). Joined from Wales Bonner. Replaced Véronique Nichanian.
October 21, 2025
Bosideng appointed Kim Jones as creative director (premium line Areal). Joined from Dior. The role was newly created.
October 20, 2025
Christian Louboutin appointed Jaden Smith as creative director (Men's). The role was newly created.
September 17, 2025
Proenza Schouler appointed Rachel Scott as creative director. Joined from Diotima. Replaced "Proenza boys" Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez.
September 2, 2025
Marni appointed Meryll Rogge as creative director. Joined from Meryll Rogge. Replaced Francesco Risso.
July 15, 2025
Pangaia appointed Kevin Grandal as creative director. Joined from 1017 ALYX 9SM. The appointment followed internal restructuring.
July 1, 2025
OTB announces Francesco Risso is leaving Marni after a decade at the house.
June 18, 2025
Dior appointed Jonathan Anderson as creative director. Joined from Loewe. Replaced Maria Grazia Chiuri and Kim Jones.
June 2, 2025
Maria Grazia Chiuri stepped down from Dior womenswear and couture after closing her tenure with the Cruise 2026 show in Rome.
May 29, 2025
Balenciaga appointed Pierpaolo Piccioli as creative director. Joined from Valentino. Replaced Demna.
May 19, 2025
Dior appointed Jonathan Anderson artistic director of menswear ahead of his later promotion to the full house.
April 17, 2025
Jean Paul Gaultier appointed Duran Lantink as creative director. Joined from Duran Lantink.
April 14, 2025
Mugler appointed Miguel Castro Freitas as creative director. Joined from Sportmax. Replaced Casey Cadwallader.
April 1, 2025
Versace appointed Dario Vitale as chief creative officer. Joined from Miu Miu. Replaced Donatella Versace.
April 1, 2025
Appointments in 2024
Appointments in 2023
Contribute updates and corrections
If you spot an incorrect date, title, predecessor, or “came from” credit, send a correction with a source link (brand announcement, reputable trade press, or an archived reference). If you have a missing appointment, send it the same way and it will be added with attribution to the source.
