G V S A L I A
Demna Gvsalia has been appointed as the creative director of 96 year-old fashion house, Balenciaga. It is speculated that he will debut his first show for autumn/winter 2016 in March. The news comes just days after his predecessor, Alexander Wang, delivered his final show for the hallowed French brand in Paris Fashion Week SS16 shows. The New Yorker decided to end his time at Balenciaga to focus on his own eponymous brand.
Whilst Wang's tenure as creative director at Balenciaga has overseen some edgy designs and high profile campaigns, the new influence of Gvasalia is expected to deliver yet another surge of fresh style, with what is rumoured to be a more avante-garde aesthetic. Having held senior roles at Margiela, Louis Vuitton, and as a noteworthy designer for Vetements, the 34 year-old Georgian born designer has an impressive CV. It is thought that he will continue his work at Vetements, balancing his creative roles whilst remaining in the French capital.
Balenciaga was originally founded by Spaniard Cristóbal Balenciaga in 1919, designing garments for the Spanish royal family and aristocrats. Having moved to Paris in 1937, the fashion house was met with international success by the fashion press, and the business went on to even further triumphs. Following the death of Balenciaga in 1972, the fashion house lay dormant until 1986 until it was revived by Kering, the premimum conglomerate group which holds stakes in Gucci, Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen.
All that is left to do now is wait and see how Gvsalia takes the helm at Balenciaga. How will he follow on from the sportwear opulence of Wang? Watch this space!