Simone Bellotti is the new creative director of Jil Sander

No sooner had fashion month ended than yet another creative director change was announced. Simone Bellotti, who took the reins at Bally in 2023 following Rhuigi Villaseñor’s brief tenure, has left the Swiss brand today to become the new creative director of Jil Sander. The brand, owned by the OTB Group, had announced on February 26 that the creative duo Luke and Lucie Meier would be leaving the Maison after seven years. Bellotti’s appointment comes after a turbulent period for Bally, which has undergone several leadership changes in recent months. In October, former CEO Nicolas Girotto left the company to lead Berluti, while the brand itself changed ownership in August 2023, when it was acquired by the U.S.-based investment firm Regent, replacing its previous owner, JAB Holding. Following the acquisition, Regent initiated an internal restructuring, appointing Ennio Fontana as the new general manager last October. Once again, the rumors turned out to be true.

Bellotti joined Bally in October 2022 after a long tenure at Gucci, where he worked for 16 years under the direction of Frida Giannini and Alessandro Michele. Initially recruited as a member of the design team, he was promoted to design director in May 2023, shortly after Villaseñor’s departure. His vision for Bally quickly stood out for its more refined and tailored approach, qualities that were clearly evident in the FW 2025 collection, presented just a few days ago in Milan. This very ability to balance heritage and modernity makes Bellotti an intriguing choice for Jil Sander. “Simone embarks on this new journey with extensive experience and a distinct talent. Over the time we spent together, we shared the strategic vision and mission for Jil Sander, as well as the values of innovation and sophistication that define it and make it an iconic and unique brand worldwide,” said Renzo Rosso, Chairman of the OTB Group. Bellotti himself expressed enthusiasm for the new challenge: “I am incredibly honored to join Jil Sander, a storied house that has created an innovative aesthetic with a strong and distinctive identity, deeply influencing the design community.” Now, all eyes are on the next Milan Fashion Week to witness his debut.

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