Photo: Imaxtree

After months of speculation and rumors about who would replace John Galliano at Dior, the latest report from WWD has Marc Jacobs in talks to take over at the storied French house.

The news flies in the face of the most recent Dior rumors, which suggested that LVMH chair Bernard Arnault would install a lesser known designer at the helm. Of course, if Jacobs is appointed as creative director at Dior, he would vacate his post at Louis Vuitton, and a major reshuffling at LVMH would ensue. WWD is reporting that Phoebe Philo‘s massive success at Celine makes her the frontrunner to replace Jacobs at Louis Vuitton (not to fret, Philo-files, she will reportedly stay on as creative designer at Celine, too).

None of this is set in stone yet–neither Jacobs nor Dior have commented on the report and a source told WWD that “a deal with Jacobs is not assured, but that the American designer and Dior management are so far ‘excited’ about the prospect.” And while the rumors about Jacobs to Dior first surfaced on somewhat dubious Brazilian gossip site Glamurama, if it’s coming from fashion news bible WWD, and with such detail, the moves seems imminent. The article still mentions Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci as a “dark horse” candidate though he was once rumored to be the top contender for the job.

With Louis Vuitton, Jacobs has proven that he can revive a brand, and with his own line, that he can set trends season after season. Above all, he always puts on a show (his last show for Vuitton saw models come out of old-timey hotel elevators, complete with doormen). WWD suggests that Jacobs’ star power could “eclipse Dior’s recent turmoil” which includes Galliano’s drama-filled firing after allegations of anti-Semitism and racism and subsequent trial.

Whatever happens, the spring shows next month in Paris will be that much more exciting to watch.