Ahead of this year’s highly anticipated month-long string of fashion shows from New York, London, Milan and Paris, the attention is less on the clothes themselves than the individuals behind the brands.
With over ten new creative director debuts premiering this September, audiences around the globe have begun speculating over these designers—curiously predicting how their presentations will impact the industry and shape the identity of each brand moving forward.
In preparation for the striking shift in fashion, read about this season’s new creative directors below.
Louise Trotter for Bottega Veneta
Appointed in December of 2024, Trotter succeeds Matthieu Blazy—who, after three years at the helm of Bottega Veneta, was just named the artistic director of fashion activities at Chanel. Having previously served as the first female creative director of Lacoste, along with roles at Joseph, Gap and Calvin Klein, Trotter will debut her first official collection for Bottega Veneta at the brand’s spring ready-to-wear 2026 show in Milan.
Simone Bellotti for Jil Sander
Sitting in the creative director role after the departure of Luke and Lucie Meier, Bellotti will present his first collection under the Jil Sander brand in Milan after a 16-year run in various design roles at Gucci. Additionally, Bellotti has previously worked as the creative director of Bally and held positions at Bottega Veneta and Dolce & Gabbana.
Dario Vitale for Versace
Stepping in for longtime chief creative officer Donatella Versace—who has transitioned into the role of chief brand ambassador—Vitale previously served as the design director for Miu Miu. Set to premiere his first collection for Versace during the brand’s spring ready-to-wear 2026 show in Milan, all eyes will be on the Italian designer as he becomes the first to takes the reigns from the Versace family.
Matthieu Blazy for Chanel
After a three-year stint as creative director of Bottega Veneta, Blazy was chosen the new artistic director of fashion activities at Chanel—a role which appoints him responsibility for all haute couture, ready-to-wear and accessory collections under the brand. Known within the industry for his innovative perspective on fashion that champions high-quality craftsmanship, Blazy is set to present his first Chanel collection in Paris this October.
Pierpaolo Piccioli for Balenciaga
Succeeding Demna—who, now at the helm of Gucci, served as the brand’s creative director for a decade—Piccioli was appointed in May of this year. Formerly the head of Valentino, independently from 2008 to 2024 and jointly with Maria Grazia Chiuri from 2008 to 2016, Piccioli will present his spring ready-to-wear 2026 show in Paris this October.
Jonathan Anderson for Dior
Following after Maria Grazia Chiuri—who led the brand’s creative vision for almost a decade—Anderson comes to Dior with experience as the founder of JW Anderson and creative director of the Spanish luxury house Loewe. Having given the public a taste of his design strategy for Dior with a spring ready-to-wear 2026 menswear show in June, Anderson will present his first womenswear collection in Paris this October.
Glenn Martens for Maison Margiela
Succeeding John Galliano—who departed the brand after 10 years in December of 2024—Martens is currently the creative director at both Maison Margiela and Diesel, connected through their parent company OTB Group. In July of this year, Martens debuted his first work under Maison Margiela with the brand’s haute couture 2025 collection, but will present his first ready-to-wear collection during Paris Fashion Week in October.
Duran Lantink for Jean Paul Goutier
Bringing an end to the house’s collaborative era of creative direction—a post-2020 model that followed Gaultier’s retirement with a rotating series of designers who would each craft one collection per season—Lantink was appointed a permanent creative director position in April of this year. With over five years of experience running his own namesake brand, Lantink will present his first ready-to-wear collection for Jean Paul Gaultier this month in Paris.
Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez for Loewe
Following the departure of Johnathan Anderson after his 11-year tenure with the brand, both McCollough and Hernandez have stepped into the the role of creative directors for Loewe. Having founded Proenza Schouler in 2002, the American design duo come into Loewe with extensive experience in the industry and will be showing their first ready-to-wear collection under the brand in Paris this October.
Miguel Castro Freitas for Mugler
Appointed after Casey Cadwallader’s near eight years with the brand, Castro Freitas has worked extensively designing for Dior, Yves Saint Laurent and Lanvin, as well as serving as the creative director for Dries Van Noten and Sportmax. The Portuguese designer will debut his spring ready-to-wear 2026 show in Pairs this September.