GVASALIA FOR BALENCIAGA

The name everyone has been waiting for, revealed...

Following the news that Alexander Wang was stepping down as creative director of Balenciaga in late July, we were all agog as to who would take his place. In a joint decision with Kering, Balenciaga made a decision not to renew his contract. Reason as to why this direction was taken were kept schtum. 

With famous names that have used their roles to pioneer change in the world of fashion previously heading the well-known brand, we were eager to see who would be appointed to follow the legacies of both Wang and Nicolas Ghesquière. It’s also important to note that Balenciaga is well known for appointing creative directors who bring an edge and elements of shock to the entire fashion body.

On October 7th, Demna Gvasalia was appointed as the new creative director of Balenciaga. Rising through the ranks with an impressive resume, including being a senior designer at both Louis Vuitton and Maison Martin Margiela, Gvasalia now has another heavy weight name to add to his already spectacular belt.

Gvasalia was a member of the Royal Academy of Fine Art in Antwerp alumni and later founded and became the head designer of Vestments which was born out of a mutual frustration at how the sense of fashion. Alongside 6 other designers, a basic, minimalist clothing line that emphasised the clothes, rather than the name, edge and sobriety was created. In an interview with The Business of Fashion, on Vetements, Gvasalia stated, “We feel it is inevitable and crucial to create contemporary clothing. We are having dialogue with it today.” 

Whilst manning his new position at Balenciaga, he states that he will remain at his post in Vestments. In a Fashion and Style online article, about Vetements, he said, “This is a label and project that I am committed to for a lifetime.”  

Supporting the change, Virginie Mouzat, editor in chief of French Vanity Fair said: “I have only one thing to say: this is a healthy move, and it will shake up the system. I cannot say which way things will go or how the appointment will play out. But it brings new blood to the sector, and we badly need that.” 

Responsible for the image and brand collection of the fashion house, it has additionally noted by the president and CEO of Balenciaga that Gvasalia has “quickly emerged as the best choice for the new artistic direction of the mansion. With his mastery of techniques, his expertise and fashion knowledge, in conjunction with his innovative and carefully considered approach, he adopts a unique vision of the designer’s role today and thus recalls Cristobal Balenciaga’s vision.”

Demna Gvasalia will be showcasing his first collection for Balenciaga in Paris’ ready-to-wear week in March 2016.