Speculation Around the Designer’s Exit as the Brand Undergoes Further Executive Changes
Significant changes may be unfolding at Swiss luxury brand Bally. The company is preparing for a coed fashion show scheduled for Milan Fashion Week in February and has recently launched a capsule collection with DJ Leo Mas. However, there is speculation that Simone Bellotti, Bally’s creative director, may be considering an exit.
These rumors come on the heels of the brand’s acquisition last August by an affiliate of Regent, and the departure of CEO Nicolas Girotto in October, who had been responsible for appointing Bellotti. Adding to the uncertainty, there are ongoing negotiations to prevent the closure of a Bally production facility in Lastra a Signa, Tuscany, which employs 55 artisans.
Amidst these developments, industry insiders are speculating that Bellotti might be poised to succeed Luke and Lucie Meier at Jil Sander after their anticipated departure following the Fall 2025 show. Bellotti’s design aesthetic is considered a good fit for Jil Sander, which is part of the OTB group owned by Renzo Rosso.
Bellotti joined Bally in October 2022 after spending 16 years at Gucci. His resume also includes senior design roles at Dolce & Gabbana, Bottega Veneta, and Gianfranco Ferré, giving him extensive experience in ready-to-wear tailoring and accessories, which are central to Bally’s offerings.
He was appointed design director of Bally in May 2023, taking over from Rhuigi Villaseñor. His debut collection for Bally, presented at Milan Fashion Week in September 2023, received acclaim for its meticulous designs and sophisticated tailoring. The collection was noted for its modern respect for Bally’s 174-year history and Bellotti’s unique twists, such as tiny cowbells that nod to Swiss heritage and references to Swiss folklore, including the legend of a mermaid in Engadine lake for the Fall 2024 lineup.
Bellotti has often drawn inspiration from art and design, notably incorporating elements associated with German poet Hugo Ball, a pioneer of the Dada art movement and founder of Zurich’s Cabaret Voltaire, in his Spring 2025 collection. The future of Bellotti at Bally remains uncertain as the fashion industry watches closely.