One of the great modern designer-brand collaborations has come to an end with the news that brilliant French designer Nicolas Ghesquiere is leaving his post as creative director of fashion house Balenciaga after a celebrated 15 year tenure.
Balenciaga’s parent company PPR released a statement confirming the news: “The Balenciaga fashion house and Nicolas Ghesquiere have announced their joint decision to end their working relationship as of 30 November 2012… With an incomparable creative talent, Nicolas has brought to Balenciaga an artistic contribution essential to the unique influence of the house.”
As creative director, Ghesquiere was solely responsible for returning Balenciaga to its former glory as a leader in fashion design, with his truly innovative and singular vision that, somehow, seemed to predict the future of trends – by creating them. Combining a Sixties-informed retro minimalism, with futuristic structure and volume and slim silhouettes, Ghesquiere made Balenciaga one of the can’t-miss shows of any season.
He will officially take his leave on 30 November.
Now the speculation can begin as to where Ghesquiere will go, as well as which designer will take up his mantle at Balenciaga. Offer your guesses in the comment section.
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris for Getty Images.
