[Mutterlein]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott oh dear that tired rhetoric that everything lies at the feet of almighty nicholas,again. you guys do realize,that there was an actual existence at this house before nicholas arrived....that the legend that is cristobal paved a long road for many talents to be influenced by? not to mention,has an extensive archive that nicholas himself has conveniently borrowed from? to make it seem like everything he's done as inherently original is a truly naive to buy into. and also he did gain a reputation when the direction of the house changed(especially post Gucci Group and ultimately PPR)for borrowing or referencing other professionals himself in this industry. so to accuse one of copying him is an unfair statement to make.

Completely disagree,

Yes, Balenciaga himself was hugely influential, but that has little to do with all the derivative designers who reference Nicholas' designs now.

The difference between Nicholas and all those derivative designers is that when Nicholas references he is open about it, he pushes the original idea and updates it in a contemporary context. He's looking at forgotten designers whose ideas haven't been in play in fashion for decades. There's as much skill and insight in what he references as there is in what he totally designs.

These copycat kids have no skill. They have no insight. They are only reproducing hackneyed versions of Nicholas's designs that are at most a few seasons old.

No, Nicholas is not infallible, but his originality and influence is undeniable. To give credibility to these impostors, to actually bring them into the discussion about succeeding Nicholas at Balenciaga, is really just embarrassing.

[StoneSkipper]

^You make it sound like they're doing some kind of heinous, unforgivable crime. It seemsa as you're saying that anything that Nicholas created is only his and cannot be even source of inspiration for anyone. Why should that happen?

[arlekindearrabal]

I wholeheartedly agree with Mutterlein, and disagree completely about Pedro Lourenço being a copycatter of Ghesquière's work. There might be similarities, but the end result is obviously different.

I think he's actually a sensible option to fill the head post at Balenciaga, though I'm not sure Isabelle Guichot and the suits there are necessarily looking for the next directional designer. It seems obvious they're looking for a watered-down, wholly commercial proposition.

[Mutterlein]

Quote:

Originally Posted by StoneSkipper ^You make it sound like they're doing some kind of heinous, unforgivable crime. It seemsa as you're saying that anything that Nicholas created is only his and cannot be even source of inspiration for anyone. Why should that happen?

Didn't say that shouldn't happen. I just don't think those designers should be considered to replace a designer who they owe so much to creatively. It's not healthy for a house that wants to be a benchmark to have their head designer work off the collections of the last.

[Mutterlein]

Quote:

Originally Posted by arlekindearrabal I wholeheartedly agree with Mutterlein, and disagree completely about Pedro Lourenço being a copycatter of Ghesquière's work. There might be similarities, but the end result is obviously different. I think he's actually a sensible option to fill the head post at Balenciaga, though I'm not sure Isabelle Guichot and the suits there are necessarily looking for the next directional designer. It seems obvious they're looking for a watered-down, wholly commercial proposition.

Very unlikely, the suits know very well the commercial power of a strong and relevant vision: just look at Celine.

As far as Pedro goes, his first two collections had the mark of a true master, but its gone down since then. I do feel he relies too much on Nicholas' ideas, to a fault.

[rip_ian curtis]

Why on earth would they even consider hiring someone with an aesthetic similar to Nicholas? They need someone completely different, but someone who can reinterpret the house heritage in as equally modern way as Nicholas did. At Dior, did they look for someone who fits what Galliano did for the house? No, that's why Raf is there to turn a new page.

[arlekindearrabal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mutterlein Very unlikely, the suits know very well the commercial power of a strong and relevant vision: just look at Celine. As far as Pedro goes, his first two collections had the mark of a true master, but its gone down since then. I do feel he relies too much on Nicholas' ideas, to a fault.

Then why bother ousting/letting Ghesquière walk? (Assuming it wasn't a solely personal desition on his part.)

I doubt they'll get another strong personality to run the brand. The scenario I'm thinking will most likely play out is that it'll be an internal promotion. Something along the lines of what happened at Alexander McQueen.

As for Lourenço, he is still very young and Nicolas' influence is hard to escape nowadays. I think it very largely depends on copycatting versus being 'inspired by'. There may be some similarities, but as xPedro said (the member that brought up Pedro as a possible contender), his work reminds me more of his own parents' work back in Brazil than of Ghesquière's oeuvre.

[shanhuq]

Quote:

Alexander Wang Appears as Leading Candidate for Balenciaga By CATHY HORYN In the continuing Balenciaga drama, Alexander Wang appears to be the leading candidate to succeed the star designer Nicolas Ghesquiere, and an announcement of his appointment could be made as early as next week, a Paris source with knowledge of the discussions said on Wednesday night. There has been growing speculation that Mr. Wang, a popular New York designer, would be chosen for Balenciaga, which is owned by PPR. Calls to Mr. Wang and his spokeswoman were not returned on Wednesday night. Mr. Ghesquiere said two weeks ago that he would leave Balenciaga after 15 years. He thoroughly modernized the house and became one of the most influential designers in Paris, but indicated that, at age 40, he was eager for new challenges. If Mr. Wang is the choice for Balenciaga, he will bring a different perspective, certainly a strong urban sensibility. Although he likes to experiment on his New York runway, he is perhaps best known for his easy interpretations of street and athletic clothes, like sports jerseys, parkas and, of course, jeans and T-shirts. He sells his line in contemporary sections of stores like Bergdorf Goodman and Barneys, as well as in his own boutique in SoHo. He also has manufacturing connections in China. The choice of a designer like Mr. Wang, who has built a youthful following in New York and elsewhere, certainly suggests a different direction for Balenciaga. And for Mr. Wang, a move to Paris would allow him to expand his career.

runway.blogs.nytimes

[Dutchhie]

^ I hope not...

[LagerfeldBoy]

Uh oh.... this isn't good :/

[AustralianaBoy]

I hope that Wang article is a joke.

[Mutterlein]

Cathy has called them before. We'll see.

[aynoray]

oh no i just heard so too

[mistress_f]

Here's purple magazine alarming (lol) status on facebook:

Quote:

BREAKING NEWS ACCORDING TO PURPLE'S RELIABLE SOURCES ALEXANDER WANG WILL TAKE OVER AT BALENCIAGA

i hope this is a joke. if it's indeed true, it will be a travesty. I definitely will be spending my money eslewhere

[Littleathquakes]

WOW he's not someone I would peg for the job. At. All.