Jil Sander appoints Simone Bellotti as new creative director
The appointment comes following the exit of Luke and Lucie Meier in February
And so the revolving door of high fashion designers continues to turn. Following the surprise announcement in February that long-time creative directors Luke and Lucie Meier would be stepping down following their final AW25 collection for the brand, Jil Sander has appointed Simone Bellotti as its new creative director.
Joining from Bally, the Milanese designer has held design positions at fashion houses including Bottega Veneta and Dolce & Gabbana, as well as a 16-year stint at Gucci, before joining Bally in 2022. Rumours began to swirl in January 2025 that Bellotti may be leaving his role at the Swiss fashion house following its sale in August 2024 and the exit of CEO Nicolas Girotto the following October.
Even back then Jil Sander was discussed as a good fit for Bellotti. Having trained in Antwerp, and with an aesthetic that draws on art, photography and music, there is a lot of shared design language between the signature minimalist Jil Sander aesthetic and Bellotti’s work for Bally – so fans needn’t be worried about another ‘old Celine’ moment. We will, however, have to wait a few months to see what Bellotti brings to the brand, with his first collection set to debut at Milan Fashion Week in September 2025.
“I am incredibly honored to join Jil Sander, a storied house that created a new aesthetic with its unique approach and strong identity, and that has always had such a significant influence on the design community,” said Bellotti. “I am grateful to Renzo [Rosso] for the trust, and I am keen to contribute to the house’s full potential.”
“Simone embarks on this journey with extensive experience and a distinct talent. Over the time spent together we shared the strategic vision and mission for Jil Sander, the values of innovation and sophistication that make it an iconic and unique brand,” added Renzo Rosso, chairman of OTB group, the owner of Jil Sander.
