GET YOUR WANG OUT

Alexander Wang Named New Creative Director Of Balenciaga

New York wunderkind Alexander Wang has been tapped to take over the historic Paris-based house, Balenciaga from Nicolas Ghesquière, who officially finishes his 15-year tenure today.

Both Balenciaga and Wang refused to comment, but according to WWD, Wang’s appointment suggests a change in direction for the label:

The choice of Wang suggests Balenciaga might wish to dial down the elitist, couture-like approach of Ghesquière, and open up to a broader audience with a designer prized for his sportswear approach and youthful energy.

The 28-year-old designer is known for his street-chic approach to fashion – heavy on leather, fur and various modulations on black – and has launched a number of popular must-have accessorizes, as well as a successful menswear capsule collection.

Wang is also praised for his commercial savvy, having built and successfully expanded his business on a global scale in a relatively short amount of time. Still, he’s gonna have a lot to live up to.

Ghesquière’s 15-year run was consistently lauded and credited with revitalizing the house that  Cristóbal Balenciaga built some 75 years ago. The former creative director has been mum on his plans for the future, though some suggest he may take over another label, perhaps under Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, as CEO Bernard Arnault has been courting Ghesquière for at least a decade.

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