On March 24, French fashion house Courrèges announced that its artistic director, Nicolas Di Felice, will step down from his role. According to the brand’s statement, he is leaving “to focus on personal projects.”
Appointed in September 2020, Nicolas Di Felice led the creative direction of Courrèges for nearly five years. Drawing on the Space Age foundations established in 1961 by André Courrèges and Coqueline Courrèges, he reconstructed the brand’s identity for a contemporary era.
At the core of his work was a clear philosophy: not to replicate the archive, but to reinterpret its meaning. Rather than relying on nostalgia, he approached the house’s heritage as a framework for new creation.
This philosophy materialized into a distinctive design language. While preserving the maison’s signature elements—such as geometric precision and a predominantly white palette—he introduced sharper, more sensual nuances, resulting in a wardrobe that balanced structure with fluidity, and technical rigor with everyday wearability.
Among his collections, Fall/Winter 2026 stood out as a defining moment. Through a contrast of edgy daywear and conceptual evening pieces, he clearly articulated the codes he had developed over his tenure, bringing his chapter at Courrèges to a close.
His impact, however, extended beyond the creative sphere. Under his direction, the brand experienced significant business growth, with revenues rising notably by 2023. His debut collection attracted a majority of new customers, marking a successful renewal of the brand’s audience base.
At the same time, the brand’s position within contemporary culture was reshaped. By connecting Courrèges to music and club culture, he established new touchpoints with a younger generation, allowing the house to evolve beyond its historical identity. In 2021, he also relaunched menswear, further expanding the brand’s scope.
He also redefined how the brand was experienced. Despite debuting under the constraints of the global pandemic, his later runway shows introduced immersive elements such as breathing-like set designs and confetti-filled finales, positioning Courrèges as a brand that engages not only through clothing, but through atmosphere and emotion.
In addition, his engagement with LGBTQIA+ communities and his gender-fluid design approach aligned the house with contemporary social values. In this sense, his work went beyond aesthetic renewal, ultimately addressing the fundamental question of who Courrèges is for.
In its official statement, the house said: “Under his direction, the house experienced a true renaissance, acclaimed by the critics, and established itself as a distinctive voice in the contemporary fashion landscape. Nicolas reinterpreted its iconic codes and created a true dialogue with a new generation.”
Di Felice also shared the following: “I would like to thank, from the bottom of my heart, all the people who contributed—with their talent and their work, in one way or another—to the rebirth of Courrèges. I would also like to express my gratitude to everyone who believed in me and in the project— François, François-Henri , my love @roderick_buijs , the stylists , models, photographers, journalists, buyers, and so many others who supported us along the way.”
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A graduate of La Cambre in Brussels, Di Felice began his career at Balenciaga under Nicolas Ghesquière. After a brief period at Dior with Raf Simons, he rejoined Ghesquière at Louis Vuitton in 2015 before taking the helm at Courrèges in 2020.
In recent years, his work has extended beyond fashion, including designing stage costumes for Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s “Renaissance” world tour. His designs have also been worn by high-profile figures such as Dua Lipa, Rosalía, and Bella Hadid.
Courrèges is expected to announce his successor on March 31.
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