Designer Nicholas Di Felice will step down as artistic director 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 appoint 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 complete reset. He later described his first day as a time when everything had to be rebuilt. Over the next few years, he worked closely with the team to shape a clear direction for the company. In his farewell message, he thanked partners in 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 Raf Simons at Christian Dior. His appointment at Courrèges marked his first role at the head of a house.
He quickly introduced a distinctive approach through body-conscious clubwear and a focus on form. His runway shows brought that energy to the physical space, with sets that included a “breathing” installation and a confetti sequence timed to the soundtrack. At the same time, she developed a recognizable wardrobe for the brand, including vinyl jackets, AC logo miniskirts, ribbed knits and boot cut jeans.
His latest Fall 2026 collection in Paris brought these elements together. Built around the concept of “24 hours in the life of a Courrèges woman”, the show traced an entire day through clothes, from daywear to evening looks. It served as the closing chapter that reflected the direction he established during his time in the house.
Alongside the design, Di Felice worked with then CEO Adrien Da Maia to reposition the brand. It introduced gendered versions of key pieces and expanded the offering into new areas, including fragrances with releases such as Slogan and Le Messager and accessories such as the Hobo and Holy bags. He also worked on music-related projects, including stage costumes for Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour and a pop-up with Paris label Dizonord.
It helped shape the presence of the brand through events as well. With deejay and producer Erwan Sene and set designer Rémy Brière, he developed the Club Courrèges evenings, which brought together fashion and music through a series of events. After a period of retail growth, Marie Leblanc took over as CEO in 2024 and led price adjustments during a broader slowdown in luxury spending.
Courrèges credits 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’s next, including possible connections to Alaïa next Pieter Mulier’s exit for Versace.
