Pieter Mulier has stepped down as creative director of Alaïa Is Versace's announcement imminent?

After months of rumors, the official confirmation has arrived: Pieter Mulier is no longer the creative director of Alaïa. The news was announced by WWD, which on Friday published the Maison’s statement as an exclusive. According to the official announcement, Mulier will conclude his tenure following the presentation of the Summer–Fall 2026 collection, scheduled to take place in Paris next March. During the transition period, the in-house studio will ensure creative continuity until a new creative organization is confirmed.

In its message, the Maison reiterated how, since its founding in 1964 by Azzedine Alaïa, its creative project has always been guided by a clear mission: celebrating the power of femininity and the timelessness of beauty through exceptional craftsmanship. Since his appointment in 2021, Pieter Mulier, together with the creative teams, has played a key role in reaffirming Alaïa’s singular identity, translating its founding values into a contemporary language while respecting the Maison’s heritage. This work was also acknowledged by Myriam Serrano, CEO of Alaïa, who thanked Mulier in the statement for having written “an important chapter in the evolution of the Maison”, emphasizing how over the past five years the designer and his team have strengthened the brand’s relevance, confidence, and global recognition.

According to reports also confirmed by the American publication, the next chapter of the Belgian designer’s career could unfold in Milan, where he would be set to take the reins of the new Versace under the Prada Group, left without leadership after the very brief tenure of Dario Vitale. As for the future of Alaïa, a flagship brand within Richemont, there are still no official confirmations, but FashionNetwork reports that the role of creative director could go to Olivier Rousteing, following his departure from Balmain last November, after nearly fifteen years at the helm of the Maison.