Valentino's creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli is stepping down after 25 years with the fashion house

• Pierpaolo Piccioli is stepping down from his role as creative director of Valentino.
• He joined the company in 1999 and became the sole creative director in 2016.
• Valentino says Piccioli's departure was a "joint decision" and will be followed by new leadership.

It's the end of an era at Valentino.

After 25 years with the fashion house, Pierpaolo Piccioli is leaving the brand — specifically stepping down from his role as creative director, which he's held for the past eight years.