A month ago, when Nicolas Ghesquiere’s successor at Balenciaga was still an unknown, rumors began swirling that hot young London designer Christopher Kane was a shoe-in. Obviously, that turned out not to be true. Still, it seems possible that Kane could have a future with Balenciaga parent company PPR.
The British Fashion Council has just announced the shortlist of designers up for the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund and it’s quite a talented group.
![Report: Alexander Wang In at Balenciaga [Updated]](http://fashionista.com/uploads/2012/11/wang1-640x420.jpg)
After initial reports that Christopher Kane would succeed Nicolas Ghesquière at Balenciaga, followed by Kane’s departure from Versus, followed by reports that Balenciaga’s parent company PPR was looking to invest in Kane’s eponymous label, it seemed likely that Kane was the front-runner for the Balenciaga gig, despite his statement that the rumors were “unfounded.”
But early last night we got word from a reliable source that Alexander Wang–whose name was tossed into the ring for the Dior job as well as the Balenciaga job–would be named the new creative director of Balenciaga in around a week’s time. And since the New York Times‘ Cathy Horyn is also reporting that Wang is the leading candidate to replace Ghesquière according to a Paris source “with knowledge of the discussions,” it seems pretty damn likely that he’s in.
Today in news to keep those Christopher Kane/Balenciaga rumors alive: WWD is reporting that, according to sources, “PPR has held discussions with Christopher Kane about financial backing for the fledgling firm.”
Before the rumors about Christopher Kane going to Balenciaga were squelched (a spokesperson for Kane said that the report was “unfounded”) I wondered: If Kane was going to helm Balenciaga, what would happen to Versus, the kid-sister Versace line he’s designed for the past six seasons? Surely, he couldn’t carry on designing three lines.
Even though today brings no new developments regarding who will replace Nicolas Ghesquière at Balenciaga, Versace has announced that Christopher Kane will be leaving Versus in what WWD is describing as a “mutual agreement” between Kane and Donatella Versace.
It’s a “mutual agreement” because there was no termination of contract–Versus is simply taking a different tack.
Le Nouvel Observateur (a reputable source, according to The Cut) is reporting that Christopher Kane, a rumored front-runner for the job, has been named the new creative director of Balenciaga, effective December 1.
Click through our slideshow of the best shoes of Spring 2013 and try to pick a favorite. We dare you.
We rounded up the 25 best dressed from all the fashion weeks. You’re welcome.
Fashion looks east for inspiration.
London is the shortest fashion “week” of the month (it’s only five days long) but it manages to pack in a ton of shows in that time. And we were at most of them! London’s fashion is really unique–from heritage brands to the buzzy up-and-comers, we’ve chosen our 10 favorite collections from the London shows. Click through to see our picks (in no particular order) and tell us if you agree!
