Daily Front Row

2012 December 3

Confirmed: Alexander Wang Named Creative Director at Balenciaga

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Alexander Wang
Billy Farrell Agency View Gallery

(NEW YORK) Alexander Wang is officially in at Balenciaga: as of today, the designer begins his post as creative director of the French label, following last week's breathless speculation about the appointment. The 93-year-old brand was purchased by PPR in 2001; Nicolas Ghesquière last day as creative director was Friday, following the designer's announcement last month of his departure after 15 years helming chez Balenciaga.

Expect Wang to get right to work in his new capacity: The designer, 28, will immediately begin working on Balenciaga's Fall 2013 collection, with two and a half months to go before unveiling his debut for the label at Paris Fashion Week. Prior to Wang's February debut for Balenciaga, two pre-Wang spates of looks will roll out, as the line's pre-fall women’s collection has already been designed and the fall-winter men’s collection is nearly done. Wang will continue to churn out his eponymous label, founded in 2005, as well as the knits-focused T by Alexander Wang diffusion line.

As for buyers' input on the pairing? "Alexander Wang has more than proved his potential," Bergdorf Goodman's Linda Fargo told The Daily. "His vision is always pushing forward, always distinct, modernist and innovative—a perfect fit for the codes of Balenciaga," said Fargo. Ken Downing of Neiman Marcus echoed the sentiment, calling Wang "a brilliant choice" for the label. "I cannot wait for his first collection," Downing told The Daily.