
WWD JUL 24 – Fashion
Piccioli “will be sorely missed: his vision of beauty, his sense of color and materials, his aristocratic perception of fashion will remain indelible pages in the history of fashion,” said with some sadness Alessandro Maria Ferreri, founder and CEO of luxury consultancy The Style Gate, praising the designer’s respect for the heritage of Valentino, almost singular in this industry compared to his peers, he remarked. “Sentimentally,” he touted Piccioli’s ability to offer “beauty and dreams,” but rationally, as an adviser and entrepreneur.”
Ferreri acknowledged that “when the going gets tough, practical decisions must be taken and this was not a surprise,”admitting there had been “several signals [pointing to a need for a change] in the market for a while, despite the strong aesthetic emotions provided at each show.” He gave a thumbs-up to the idea of Michele joining Valentino. “It would be amazing and, as Martin Margiela told John Galliano arriving as creative director of the brand, ‘take it and make it yours.'”