Designer Nicolas Di Felice will step down as artistic director of Courrèges after five years in the role. He confirmed the news in a statement, thanking the Artémis group and François and François-Henri Pinault for their trust. He said he will now turn his attention to personal projects. Courrèges will name a new artistic director next week.
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Di Felice joined the house in September 2020, at a time when the brand required a full reset. He later described his first day as a moment when everything had to be rebuilt. Over the following years, he worked closely with the team to shape a clear direction for the label. In his farewell message, he thanked collaborators across all areas of the business, including stylists, models, photographers, journalists, and buyers who supported the work.
Before Courrèges, Di Felice built his career behind the scenes. He studied at La Cambre in Brussels and went on to work with Nicolas Ghesquière at Balenciaga and Louis Vuitton, as well as with Raf Simons at Christian Dior. His appointment at Courrèges marked his first role leading a house.
He quickly introduced a distinct approach through body-conscious clubwear and a focus on form. His runway shows brought that energy into physical space, with sets that included a “breathing” installation and a confetti sequence timed to the soundtrack. At the same time, he developed a recognizable wardrobe for the brand, including vinyl jackets, miniskirts with the AC logo, ribbed knits, and boot-cut jeans.
His final collection for Fall 2026 in Paris brought these elements together. Built around the idea of “24 hours in the life of a Courrèges woman,” the show traced a full day through clothing, from daywear to evening looks. It served as a closing chapter that reflected the direction he established during his time at the house.
Alongside design, Di Felice worked with then-chief executive Adrien Da Maia to reposition the brand. He introduced gender-fluid versions of key pieces and expanded the offer into new areas, including fragrance with releases such as Slogan and Le Messager, and accessories like the Hobo and Holy bags. He also worked on music-related projects, including stage outfits for Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour and a pop-up with the Paris record store Dizonord.
He helped shape the brand’s presence through events as well. With deejay and producer Erwan Sene and set designer Rémy Brière, he developed the Club Courrèges nights, which brought together fashion and music through a series of events. After a period of retail growth, Marie Leblanc took over as chief executive officer in 2024 and led adjustments to pricing during a broader slowdown in luxury spending.
Courrèges credited Di Felice with giving the house a renewed sense of direction and connecting it with a new generation. His departure has already sparked speculation about what comes next, including possible links to Alaïa following Pieter Mulier’s exit for Versace.
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