After rumours started circulating a few days ago (and, on many occasions, denied soon after), WWD reported that Alexander Wang has been confirmed as Balenciaga’s new creative director, with an official appointment to be released next week. However, at the time of publication, neither Balenciaga nor Alexander Wang officials could be reached to comment, despite reports that a deal was agreed and a contract signed. The New York-based designer, famous for his androgynous aesthetic and for producing luxury accessories, will replace Nicolas Ghesquière, who led the fashion house for 15 years.
28-year-old Alexander Wang graduated from New York‘s Parsons School of Design in 2005 and, following an internship at Teen Vogue, began designing for his eponymous label, renowned for its range of fine cashmere knitwear. His first ready-to-wear collection was launched in 2007, followed by the diffusion line ‘T by Alexander Wang’ in 2009, the same year that saw him becoming the recipient of the Vogue/CFDA Fashion Fund Award. He opened his first flagship store in New York in 2011.
Balenciaga was founded in 1918 in San Sebastian, Spain, by Cristóbal Balenciaga. In 1937, the brand opened a couture house on Avenue George V in Paris. The label flourished for decades but was closed in 1968, four years before Cristóbal’s death, and remained dormant until 1986, when its rights were acquired by Jacques Bogart S.A. In 2001, the Gucci Group (now known as PPR) acquired the label and increased the number of stores worldwide from a handful to over 60.