While there were several theories floating around (frustrations with Balenciaga parent company Kering, disagreements over the commercialization and expansion of the brand, some even say Wang was being courted before Ghesquière left), it was never made clear why Nicolas Ghesquière split from Balenciaga back in November. Now, the designer is finally setting the record straight himself.
Ever since Nicolas Ghesquière left Balenciaga–after over ten years of critical and commercial success for the house–the fashion media has been wondering what would become of him.
But beyond opening a woefully-underused Twitter account, Ghesquière has remained silent. And in that silence, fashion insiders have starting to talk about the designer’s future in fashion… and imminent return.
He speaks tweets!
We haven’t heard a peep from Nicolas Ghesquière since he left Balenciaga. Until now…
Now that we know who is going to take the reins at Balenciaga (it’s Alexander Wang, in case you’ve been living under a rock), the next question on everyone’s minds is: What will change under the new designer?
Well, according to the CEO of Balenciaga’s parent company PPR, François-Henri Pinault, not a whole lot.
Not one to sit out on any fashion debate, Karl Lagerfeld has apparently weighed in on Alexander Wang’s new position at Balenciaga.
Just because Alexander Wang has officially replaced him at Balenciaga doesn’t mean we’ve heard the last of the great Nicolas Ghesquière (and thank goodness for that).
It’s official: After a few days of unconfirmed reports, Balenciaga has just sent out a press release naming Alexander Wang the new creative director of Balenciaga, replacing Nicolas Ghesquière.
The yet-to-be-officially-confirmed news of Alexander Wang’s appointment as creative director at Balenciaga has been met with mixed emotion by many fashion industry insiders and enthusiasts this week. While the die-hard ‘Wangophiles’–you know them: stud-bottom bag carrying, open-toe bootie rocking ‘Trainas in training’–couldn’t be more excited, skeptics have already begun to question whether or not Wang possesses the gravitas necessary to make him a success at his new gig.
![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.”
Yes, she talked about cats a lot (the one person she’d secretly wish to see on the cover of Vogue? Pumpkin.). She also fielded truly bizarre questions like, “If you only had enough time to save one person from a burning building, would you save Anna or your cat?” and “Can I braid your hair?” She answered both.
Anyone who’s seen photos of Kristen Stewart in one of her perpetually occurring thousand-dollar-gown-and-ratty-sneakers getups (and doesn’t make a living scouring the Internet for this sort of information like we do!) may be surprised to learn that the Twilight star works with a professional stylist. Alas, it’s true.
Her name is Tara Swennen, and she wishes Stewart would wear heels just as much as the rest of us.
