Alexander Wang leaving Balenciaga

[Littleathquakes]

oh God no not Ungaro, they'll chew him up and spit him out like they did Giles Deacon.

 

[Deleted member 7575]

oh God no not Ungaro, they'll chew him up and spit him out like they did Giles Deacon.

I doubt they can afford him

 

[IloveDiorHomme]

I read an article with a name of designers to replace him today in a French newspaper. the list was

Alexander Wang
Joseph Altuzarra
Christopher Kane
JW Anderson
Bouchra Jarrar

among other names. And Proenza Schouler would have said no according to the article....

JW Anderson would suit perfectly imo, he has a young and fresh approach of fashion and can handle women and men's collections. And he has this sporty cool codes in his silhouettes.

 

[thejarc]

Holy ****, all these young designers that steal sooo many ideas from him (with the exception of Bouchra). Most of these based their brands on Nicolas style and they certainly dont have the vision to bring Balenciaga into a new era.

 

[mistress_f]

Other than Christopher Kane and maybe JW Anderson i don't see how any of them could work. A.Wang would be a total travesty.

 

[dior_couture1245]

What devastating news! Nicolas' name is so intrinsic with Balenciaga at this point that I can hardly imagine one without the other. He will be sorely missed and his legacy will never be forgotten. Regardless of whether or not you may or may not have loved every collection he ever produced, you have to give the man credit for producing some of the most memorable, recognizable and important designs of the last several decades! He also deserves to be lauded for having such a strong and steadfast vision that adapted itself well to the changing trends over the last 15 years, while never losing any integrity.

In regards to the alleged replacement shortlist -

The idea of Wang at Balenciaga holds as much water for me as the rumor of him going to Dior - which is to say that it holds about as much water as a sieve.

The problem with Altuzarra (among many other problems, really), is that he has made so many obvious references to Nicholas' work that to give Joseph the position would be beyond offensive. And really, I almost feel the same for JW Anderson, in this case. While I prefer JW far more than I do Altuzarra, JW has taken equal amounts of inspiration from Ghesquiere's 15-year tenure at the house. Same goes for Proenza. And they really aren't much of designers in my book as they are garish decorators.

Christopher Kane is too tied to Versace to make any kind of sense at Balenciaga. His visual vocabulary, while stunning and creative as ever, is too tongue in cheek for such a serious house with such serious archives. His humor works perfectly with the self-aware trashiness of Versace.

I, for one, think this position needs to go to someone entirely new. Replacing one of the brightest stars of the 20th-21st century is no easy task, and I can only hope that Gucci Group, PPR and Balenciaga can respectfully find a replacement who comes in with a fresh perspective, no reputation, and a willingness to learn - not some pumped up big shot who already has an agenda up their sleeve.

 

[MulletProof]

Maybe Peter Pilotto could do something for the house, considering Nicolas lived off his prints while he was anonymous and probably would've enjoyed some recognition.

 

[Crying Diamonds]

Bouchra Jarrar worked at Balenciaga under Ghesquiere for years before creating her own label, though I really like her work I don't think it's quite diverse enough to follow up Ghesquiere.

J.W. Anderson is the worst idea for Balenciaga, what would he bring to a House as important as Balenciaga if he can't bring his own label new ideas season to season?
Though perhaps it is the financial backing and the team available that would let him flourish? Even if that is the case, is his current work good enough for Balenciaga? I don't think so.

I would pass out if Alexander Wang took over - his entire aesthetic is cool, trendy, sporty, which works fine for New York, for his own brand, Cristobal Balenciaga's House is the polar opposite of Alexander Wang's brand.

Proenza Schouler would be a good choice, but I wouldn't want their own brand to suffer.

Christopher Kane I love but I don't want conforming to what a Parisian fashion house wants - his brand in London suits him just fine.

Altuzarra, though I like some of his designs, doesn't have that cutting-edge, or 'wow' factor to him.

I'd like to see someone different go to Balenciaga, let's see what someone who doesn't design in neoprene and solar panels does. Just for now

 

[kowie]

Ghesquière has so much integrity. It reflects in his design and his decisions. I can't wait to se his next move.

 

[Egoiste]

hmm, i don't know... maybe Francisco Costa would suit for Balenciaga ?

 

[Lena]

alexander wang is a real BAD idea @balenciaga

 

[Lena]

i could also see a real departure of style from that NG direction
with someone trully influenced by Balenciaga,
like Veronique Branquinho or Martin Grand

 

[Scott]

branquinho would be interesting and she does have that level of sublime fluidity that cristobal was great at. she is of part of ghesquiere's generation and often got lumped together with him when in the early years. they definitely had certain elements in common in those early days which i much preferred of nicolas' stint.

somebody also mentioned getting bouchra jarrar back and i like that idea as well.

but that alexander wang rumour has to be a joke,right? when i heard that i couldn't help myself but to laugh at that ridiculousness. i fear a balenciaga consisting of oversized t'shirts and sweatpants. and while he has shown some tailoring,it certainly hasn't been worthy enough for a house and even a former designer that's known for its progressive constructivism. but perhaps that's the sign of PPR heads wanting to evolve balenciaga into a more commercial territory which of all those mentioned,he would be the more sellable. but i still feel like there needs to be a little more depth than doing high-end hanes.

 

[StoneSkipper]

I already said it before, but I think Brood's Serkan Sairier would be a great apporach to the house. He works greatly with cuts, prints and utilitarians, and that's what the Balenciaga maison is all about. Although I don't think he has a clear cut developed aesthetic. But I'd vote for one of the interns to take over, as well.

 

[TREVOFASHIONISTO]

or how about someone unknown who is already designing at Balenciaga

 

[LagerfeldBoy]

There's a rumor about Theysken's being a candidate on fashionista.com

 

[Lena]

^ no, have mercy not Theyskens

Bouchra Jarrar? not sure Scott

 

[IsabelMarantBoy]

Oh my god if Theyskens makes a return to high fashion at Balenciaga I will be able to die a happy man. Plus he already knows how to make super expensive clothes like Balenciaga is used to churning out, he'd be perfect!

 

[Mockingbird]

I'd love to see Haider Ackermann at Balenciaga...That man is a genius at structure and tailoring.

 

[educo]

The owner of Ungaro and Schiaparelli better start courting him. He is a genious, and thats exactly what both of those houses need ! Too bad Balmain wasn't up for grabs.....he could have been genious. Or YSL/Dior! Oh the possibilities!

I heard a few whispers of Galliano going to Schiaparelli.