Imagine one’s shock horror and confusion after waking up one morning and discovering that in a mere few weeks, where a much-admired creative director of one of the most successful fashion houses in the world sat comfortably, there will be an empty seat? This is quite literally what has happened.
Reports come as a surprise to the whole of the global fashion industry: Nicolas Ghesquière is departing the helm of the influential house, Balenciaga, after a 15-year tenure as the prestigious brand’s artistic director, and only a mere month after he presented one of the most praised shows of the spring 2013 season. The announcement was made on Monday morning (U.S time) with a statement issued by PPR, who has owned the brand since 2001.
“The Balenciaga fashion house and Nicolas Ghesquiere have announced their joint decision to end their working relationship as of 30 November, 2012.”
PPR’s founder and chief executive, François-Henri Pinault, has subsequently lauded Ghesquière as “an incomparable creative talent” stating, “Nicolas has brought to Balenciaga an artistic contribution essential to the unique influence of the house.”
Underlining that it was “the fruit of a long reflexion between the head of the brand and Nicolas Ghesquière”, the fashion house also has no answers for the public, at this stage. A tweet from the official Balenciaga account reads, “Thank you Nicolas for bringing back all Cristobal Balenciaga’s values and creativity.”
Ghesquière was only 23 when he first joined Balenciaga and was named creative director of the brand two years later, in 1997.
At this point in time, Ghesquière’s successor has yet to be named, whilst the world is eagerly awaiting the acclaimed designer’s next move.
Tiffany Low
