Rhuigi Villaseñor Exits Bally

SWISS LUXURY HOUSE BALLY AND RHUIGI VILLASENOR ARE PARTING WAYS IN WHAT WAS CHARACTERIZED AS A JOINT MUTUAL DECISION.

SWITZERLAND — Villaseñor joined Bally in January 2022 and chief executive officer Nicolas Girotto underscored the designer’s “creative contributions,” as well as his “passion, energy, and creativity [that] helped catapult Bally back into the spotlight, further rejuvenating the brand’s 170-year legacy through a modern, glamorous lens. I wish him all the best in the next chapter of his creative journey.”

Until a new creative director is named, Bally’s design studio will continue to carry the direction of the brand forward. A coed fashion show in Milan to present the house’s spring 2024 collection will take place during the city’s Fashion Week in September.

Under the leadership of Villaseñor, he upped the brand’s visibility by bringing Bally back to the runway with a show in September 2022 in Milan — presenting a sensual and bold woman —  followed by his sophomore show in February. He also added his own spin, celebrating the brand’s storied curling boot by fusing unexpected Western details with traditional mountaineering motifs.

“My experience at Bally has been an incredible honor,” Villaseñor said. “I wish the brand nothing but the best in all its future endeavors and look forward to enjoying its next creative chapter.”

Villaseñor was born in Manila and grew up in Southern California’s San Fernando Valley and rose to become a fashion go-to for Kendrick Lamar and Jay-Z, founding his own brand Rhude in 2015.

The plan was also for Villaseñor to help Bally further develop the U.S. market, an objective for 2023.

Bally is headquartered in Caslano, Switzerland, and has 1,500 employees worldwide.

It has more than 320 stores worldwide and 500 multibrand points of sale spanning across 60 countries. Its e-commerce platform serves 61 countries.

Menswear accounts for 60 percent of revenues and Girotto is set on growing the womenswear category, originally Bally’s core business.

Shoes account for 40 percent of sales, followed by accessories, which represent 35 percent of the total. Ready-to-wear makes up the remaining share.

Academy Award-winning actor Adrien Brody is designing a series of capsule collections for the brand to be unveiled in January next year.

Photos Credit: Courtesy