After five defining years, Pieter Mulier exits Alaïa, closing a bold chapter of creative reinvention, growth and sculptural modern femininity.
After five years of creative intensity and sustained growth, Alaïa has officially confirmed the departure of its creative director, Pieter Mulier. The Belgian designer will present his final collection for the house during the summer–fall 2026 show in March, coinciding with Paris Fashion Week, bringing to a close one of the most defining chapters in the maison’s recent history, as first reported by WWD.
In a brief statement, both Alaïa and its parent company, Compagnie Financière Richemont, expressed their gratitude to Mulier while emphasising the house’s long-term creative vision and strong foundations. The message underlined a culture that values collective talent and creative exploration beyond any single individual. “We sincerely thank Pieter for his vision and commitment, writing an important chapter in the ongoing evolution of the maison,” said Myriam Serrano, chief executive officer of Alaïa.
Mulier joined the Paris-based house three years after the death of its founder, Azzedine Alaïa, an iconic couturier celebrated for his exacting methods and sculptural, body-conscious silhouettes. Rather than approaching the archive with restraint, Mulier injected the house with experimental energy, pushing its hyper-feminine codes towards a modern, architectural expression. His collections often began with three-dimensional forms instead of flat sketches, reinforcing the idea of clothing as pure sculpture.
That creative renewal unfolded alongside strong business development. During Mulier’s tenure, Alaïa expanded its retail network almost fourfold, reaching 20 standalone boutiques worldwide. The accessories category flourished, driven by cult designs such as the mesh ballerina flats introduced in his debut collection, the elongated Teckel handbag, and newer silhouettes like Le Click. The brand is understood to have more than doubled in size over the past five years.
Mulier also challenged traditional fashion calendars, initially staging shows at unconventional locations, including his Antwerp penthouse, Alaïa’s boutique on Rue de Marignan in Paris, and the Guggenheim Museum in New York. That New York show, attended by figures such as Rihanna, Linda Evangelista and Naomi Campbell, became one of the most talked-about moments of his era. Only recently did the house return to the official Paris ready-to-wear schedule, coinciding with the opening of new flagship stores in Paris and Beijing.
No successor has yet been announced. The studio will ensure continuity during the interim period until a new creative organisation is confirmed. Meanwhile, industry speculation points to Mulier’s next chapter unfolding in Milan, where he is widely expected to join Versace following a recent vacancy. While unconfirmed, the move carries symbolic weight: Mulier has previously cited Versace as a key influence, closely linked to Azzedine Alaïa himself.
As he steps away, Pieter Mulier leaves behind a maison revitalised—creatively bold, commercially strengthened and firmly positioned at the centre of the global fashion conversation.
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