Balenciaga could be launching a couture line under the supervision of its new creative director, Alexander Wang. Fran çois-Henri Pinault, CEO of PPR – the luxury conglomerate that owns the fashion house – last night hinted that the designer could take the brand further into haute couture territory in the future.
"Alexander Wang is young and he has a very universal culture," Pinault said during an interview with CBS. "He has a very strong talent not only when it comes to accessible product, but his talent could also be adapted for couture at Balenciaga."
The businessman also touched on Nicolas Ghesquière‘s departure from the brand, after a 15-year tenure.
"We want to continue to build. We decided that with Nicolas it was time to separate our paths. After 15 years, it was quite a noble decision," he said. "The brand has been built over the last 15 years with Nicolas. We don’t intend to change. It’s not a rupture. We plan to continue to build on what has been built by him. We needed someone who was capable of coping with that. So that is what is at stake."
Naturally, Pinault had plenty of praise for new hire Wang, but acknowledged that "it will be a big challenge for him". It was announced earlier this week that the New York-based designer would continue to oversee his eponymous brand alongside taking up his new role in Paris.
"This is the first time that such a talent started his career with his own brand and then moved to an existing one in a new segment. This has never been done before," said Pinault. "Alexander has already expressed himself with the total feeling of building his own brand. Now he wants this new challenge for himself."
Source: Vogue