Who's Next at Balenciaga?

By Lindsey Schickner 11/06/12 at 11:00 AM

Photos: Patrick McMullan

The Contenders for Balenciaga's New Creative Director: Joseph Altuzarra, Christopher Kane & Alexander Wang.

Nicolas Ghesquière's abrupt departure from Balenciaga after a 15-year long stint as creative director may have come as a sudden shock to the fashion industry, however, the decision was thoroughly-discussed within the Balenciaga family.

According to Women's Wear Daily, Balenciaga CEO Isabelle Guichot confirmed that she has "a shortlist" of potential candidates to succeed Ghesquière, who would be named "as soon as we're ready."

The rumor mill has gone into overdrive discussing Balenciaga successor possibilities, with Alexander Wang, Joseph Altuzarra, Bouchra Jarrar and Christopher Kane as the top most buzzed about contenders.

"My biggest interest is to focus the organisation, accompany the team and develop the brand potential, so it's in my interest to do it as soon as possible," Guichot told WWD. "[The] brand is strong enough, developed enough and structured enough to express itself without fear."

"It was an incredible tenure for Balenciaga, in its creativity, its content, its length," Guichot said of Ghesquière's time as creative director. "Nicolas has many talents, he needs to express his talent and I'm sure he will do so."

At the helm of the iconic brand for such a long period of time, Ghesquière's next move is unclear, however, it's been suggested that the designer will either launch a brand under his own name or take over at another luxury label.

Time will tell, and similar to post-Galliano Dior, the guessing game goes on!