Balenciaga has confirmed it will not be renewing its contract with current Creative Director Alexander Wang, in a move that is said to be a mutual decision.
Wang, who primarily oversaw the French house's fashion offering was also involved in the creation of Balenciaga's fragrances; he launched his first fragrance called B. Balenciaga last year. However, it has been confirmed that Wang's near three-year tenure at the fashion brand will definitely be coming to an end.
Compared with his predecessor Nicolas Ghesquière, who stayed at Balenciaga for 15 years before moving to Louis Vuitton, Wang's stint at the fashion house has been brief. But Wang's motive has been made public – he plans to focus on his eponymously-named label in New York.
Now talk is turning to who will take over the helm. Balenciaga has historically hired from outside the company, taking on Ghesquière aged just 25 in 1997, and before him Josephus Thimister, when Balenciaga was owned by Groupe Jacques Bogart.
On Twitter, Balenciaga fans have been speculating over who might replace Wang, with names being thrown around including Hedi Slimane, Christopher Kane and even Kanyé West.
Spring/Summer 2015 will be the designer's last collection with the label, set to show at Paris Fashion Week. Speaking about his time at Balenciaga, Wang said: "It’s been an incredible experience to work with a couture house in Paris. I am honoured to have had the opportunity to work for this historical maison. I would like to thank the brilliant team at Balenciaga for their collaboration and for what we have accomplished together, and I am looking forward to taking my own brand to its next level of growth."
Balenciaga President and Chief Executive Officer Isabelle Guichot added: "We are all at Balenciaga extremely grateful to Alexander for his important contribution to the style and history of this iconic house. The dynamic growth of the brand over the last years bears testimony to his successful creative work."
