Pieter Mulier is departing from Alaïa. In a statement released today, Alaïa CEO Myriam Serrano expressed gratitude, saying, “We sincerely thank Pieter for his vision and commitment, writing an important chapter in the ongoing evolution of the Maison. Over the past five years, Pieter and the exceptional team he led have shaped Alaïa’s creative renewal, honoring its heritage and strengthening the Maison’s relevance, confidence, and global recognition.”

Mulier has served as creative director of the house since 2021. Prior to joining Alaïa, he spent much of his career working closely with Raf Simons, first at Simons’s namesake label in Antwerp, and later at Jil Sander and Christian Dior, where he also gained extensive couture experience. In 2016, he was appointed creative director at Calvin Klein, following Simons’ appointment as chief creative officer of the American brand.

During his tenure at Richemont-owned Alaïa, Mulier won over the fashion world with his technical and creative skill, architectural dresses, and hit items like ballet flats and the Le Teckel shoulder bag. In its most recent earnings report, Richemont noted a 3% sales increase in the quarter ending December 31 for its fashion and accessories maisons, which include Chloé and Alaïa.

Mulier’s exit follows shortly after Dario Vitale’s sudden departure from the creative leadership of Versace, fueling speculation about his potential successor. Mulier’s name had also emerged in discussions around 2025’s creative reshuffling, particularly for the creative director role at Balenciaga, which was ultimately filled by Pierpaolo Piccioli.

Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Pieter Muliers Departure from Alaa

BeginnerLevel Questions

1 Who is Pieter Mulier
Pieter Mulier is a Belgian fashion designer who served as the Creative Director of the French luxury fashion house Alaa from 2021 until his recent departure

2 What is Alaa
Alaa is a prestigious Parisbased fashion house founded by the legendary Tunisian couturier Azzedine Alaa known for its sculptural bodyconscious designs and exceptional craftsmanship

3 What does a Creative Director do at a fashion house
The Creative Director is responsible for the overall artistic vision of the brand They design the collections set the creative direction for shows and campaigns and define the brands aesthetic identity

4 So what just happened
Pieter Mulier has officially stepped down from his role as Creative Director of Alaa This means he is no longer leading the design and creative direction for the brand

5 When did he leave
His departure was announced in July 2024

Advanced IndustryFocused Questions

6 How long was Pieter Mulier at Alaa
He was in the role for approximately three years having been appointed in February 2021

7 Why did he leave
Official statements typically cite mutual agreement and a desire for new challenges Specific internal reasons are rarely fully disclosed but it often relates to differing visions or the natural end of a creative cycle

8 Was his tenure considered successful
Generally yes He was widely praised for respectfully honoring Azzedine Alaas iconic legacyparticularly the focus on tailoring knitwear and sensualitywhile subtly introducing his own modern architectural touch He stabilized the brand postfounder

9 Who will replace him
As of now a successor has not been announced The house will likely take time to find a designer who aligns with its unique heritage and future goals

10 What happens to the upcoming Alaa collections
The design studio and team will continue operations An interim design team or a new creative director will be responsible for future collections Muliers final collection was likely the FallWinter 2024 show