Showing just 24-hours apart at Paris Fashion Week – Vetements in a kitschy, old-fashioned Chinese restaurant and Balenciaga in a palacial Parisian chapel – Gvasalia’s appointment was greeted with much anticipation, drawing speculation that he might give the house the similar new life Alessandro Michele brought to Gucci.
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According to WWD, the 34-year-old will make his debut with the fashion house in March at the women’s ready-to-wear show, and continue with his own line.
Vetements second collection was shown during Paris Fashion Week for the autumn/winter 2015 season in a sex club, Le Depot, to high acclaim. He has quickly emerged as the best choice for the new artistic direction of the maison.
And with Balenciaga having confirmed Alexander Wang’s iminent departure as creative director for the brand back in July – after suggestions that the designer wanted to dedicate more time to his eponymous brand – the fashion world have been waiting with baited breath to discover his successor. “I am confident that he will succeed in embracing Balenciaga’s core values and developing them in harmony with today’s global changes”.
The buzz surrounding the raw designs of Vetements aside, Gvasalia is now officially fully thrust into the spotlight with his new role at the French luxury maison – his days of anonymity are now, surely, a thing of the past.
François-Henri Pinault, president and CEO of Kering, added: “With its distinctive and radical style, Balenciaga has influenced several generations of designers and couturiers”.
Gvasalia was appointed creative director at Balenciaga on October 7 and will maintain his position at Vetements. “I am convinced that he will lead Balenciaga to a successful future.”
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The Balenciaga brand was founded by Spanish native Cristóbal Balenciaga in 1919 and its designs were worn by the Spanish royal family and aristocrats. Vetements was also shortlisted for this year’s LVMH Fashion Designer Prize.
