Actualités
For nearly four decades, Jean-Pierre Blanc has shaped the Villa Noailles into a unique place where contemporary creation, architectural heritage, and artistic audacity engage in constant dialogue. Under his leadership, the Villa has established itself as a landmark on the French cultural scene, deeply rooted in the Var region while shining far beyond our borders.
Founder and tireless driving force behind the International Festival of Fashion, Photography and Accessories in Hyères—celebrating its 40th anniversary this year—and initiator of Design Parade in both Hyères and Toulon, Jean-Pierre Blanc has discovered, supported, and nurtured countless talents. He has given the Villa Noailles a powerful artistic signature: the freedom to experiment, a demand for excellence in vision, openness to all audiences with more than 280,000 visits in 2024, and unwavering care for the artists, artisans, schools, and partners that form our ecosystem.
As he now departs from the Villa Noailles, we wish to express our deep gratitude. Gratitude for the work patiently built, for the festivals that have become landmark events, for the exhibitions, residencies, and encounters that have inspired vocations and profoundly transformed the local and national cultural landscape. The Villa Noailles is committed to preserving and carrying forward this legacy: supporting young creation through residencies at Château Saint Pierre, sharing the story of patrons Charles and Marie-Laure de Noailles through exhibitions and the architecture of Robert Mallet-Stevens, and cultivating excellence while remaining accessible.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, we extend to Jean-Pierre Blanc our most respectful and heartfelt tribute, along with our warmest wishes for the continuation of his dedication to artists.
The Board of Directors of the Villa Noailles
Hyères, September 25
Rachida DATI, Minister of Culture, in full agreement with Pascale MUSSARD, President of villa Noailles, Renaud MUSELIER, President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Regional Council, Jean-Louis MASSON, President of the Var Departmental Council, Jean-Pierre GIRAN, President of the Toulon-Provence-Méditerranée Metropolis and Mayor of Hyères, and Josée MASSI, Mayor of Toulon, approved the appointment of Hugo LUCCHINO as Managing Director of villa Noailles, following the unanimous recommendation of the jury that met on 25 July 2025. He will take up his post in autumn 2025.
After studying the philosophy of art at Paris IV University – Sorbonne, in museology and art and fashion history at the École du Louvre, and in cultural institution management at Sciences Po Paris, Hugo LUCCHINO served as administrative and financial director of the public interest group Le Signe, a national graphic design centre, where he subsequently held the position of secretary general.
Hugo LUCCHINO currently holds the position of secretary general at the Palais Galliera, the Paris Museum of Fashion, where he has worked on the design and implementation of the institution’s new scientific and cultural project.
Hugo Lucchino’s project is perfectly in line with the history, territory and challenges of the villa Noailles and demonstrates his in-depth knowledge of the fashion and design sectors. His programme is structured around two festivals, the International Festival of Fashion, Photography and Accessories of Hyères and the Design Parade Hyères and Toulon Festivals, founded by Jean-Pierre BLANC, which will soon be celebrating their 40th, 20th and 10th anniversaries respectively, as well as promoting the heritage of the site.
The villa Noailles Association would like to thank Jean-Pierre Blanc for his artistic direction, his work and his commitment to discovering and promoting young talent over the last forty years, and since the opening of the art centre in 2003.
The villa Noailles Association would also like to thank all the teams and the public for their support throughout the summer.
‘The villa Noailles Association, of which I am a member, is delighted with this appointment. Hugo joins us with great artistic sensitivity and valuable management experience to write a new chapter in our history together.’ – Pascale Mussard, Chair of the Board of Directors.
“I am delighted to be joining the villa Noailles team soon to imagine together the next chapter in its history around its two pillars, fashion and design, and to work to reveal its future talents. I would like to thank the Villa’s administrators and public partners for their trust, as well as Jean-Pierre Blanc for the unique artistic legacy he is passing on to me. ” – Hugo Lucchino
villa Noailles press contact
– Alexis Djouahra, Director of Communications
a.djouahra@villanoailles.com
© Louis Teran