108 posts tagged "Balenciaga"
Balenciaga Springs in Soho
During Hurricane Sandy, Balenciaga’s New Yorkflagship—located the Zone A stretch of Chelsea—incurred heavy damages and remains closed for renovations. But it takes more than that to stop Balenciaga. Today the label announced the opening of a seasonal shop at 183 Wooster Street in Soho, not far from where a Mercer Street flagship will plant its flag next year (not to mention a mere four-and-a-half blocks from new creative director Alexander Wang’s flagship). The store will launch with Pre-Spring 2013. Assume the giant rocks are decorative, not intended for battening down the hatches.
Les Americains
Typically thorough summation in the New York Times Style section this weekend of Alexander Wang’s move to Balenciaga and what it all means (“An American in Paris, Again”). Much has been made both in this article and elsewhere of the fact that Wang lives in New York. “It was a coup for Alex and a coup for American fashion,” Diane von Furstenberg tells the Times. It’s also worth noting perhaps that Hedi Slimane, the French-born creative director of Saint Laurent, lives in L.A. and feels a deep enough attachment to his adopted country to insist that the design studio be based there. Adding Marc Jacobs at Louis Vuitton, you could argue that there are at least three Americans in Paris.
Balenciaga: What’s China Got To Do With It?
By now, Alexander Wang’s appointment at Balenciaga is old news, but the question of why he was chosen still has the industry buzzing. One argument runs that he’s got a hip young international following and that his contemporary-cool approach to dressing could prove an interesting new direction for the super-luxury brand. (His proven ability to create It bags doesn’t hurt, either.) Another, espoused by Suzy Menkes in the IHT and propelled by Karl Lagerfeld’s recent endorsement, puts the California-born Taiwanese designer’s roots in China at the center of the dialogue.
Should they be? Given luxury fashion’s rapidly expanding consumer base in China, it’s not surprising that many have gravitated toward the latter argument. But that it’s not surprising doesn’t mean that it’s especially logical or fair. Last night, PPR CEO and chairman François-Henri Pinault had his say, in an interview with CBS’ Rebecca Jarvis. “Alexander Wang is young and he has a very universal culture. He is American with Chinese roots. His family is based in Shanghai. 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,” he said. When asked if Wang’s family ties were a key factor, he responded with a definitive “No.” “It is a mixture of value that Alexander will bring. It was really [a matter of] let’s find the right talent, the right skills, the right profile for the reality of the brand.”
To see Alexander Wang’s Pre-Fall 2013 collection, new on Style.com today, click here.
Alexander Wang Says Love the Skin You’re In. Or Change It.
Ever since the now confirmed rumors broke that Alexander Wang would succeed Nicolas Ghesquière at Balenciaga, it’s been hard to talk about anyone else. That trend continues today, but not for the reason you might expect. The 28-year-old designer has revealed his newest It bag: the Pelican Sling. The convertible cross-body leather pouch is super-versatile, particularly because, with four interchangeable coverlets in stingray, ostrich, watersnake, and eel, it’s five looks in one. But don’t get too too excited. The covers, which range from $275 to $975, are sold separately and will be available starting this week exclusively at Wang’s Soho flagship and at Isetan in Tokyo. Some assembly required.
Has Nicolas Ghesquière Surfaced?
“Where’s Nicolas going?” has been the parlor game of choice for the fashion set of late, and as of this week, there may be at least part of an answer: onto Twitter. The new @TWNGhesquiere hasn’t breathed a (digital) word yet, but W‘s Edward Enninful posted a welcome message, which is probably about as close to an authentication as you can get without Twitter’s little blue check. Is it really him? The account is following a more-or-less Ghesquière-approved 11 people (including Enninful, Lori Goldstein, Charlotte Rampling, Pierre Hardy, and much of the staff of French Elle), but further than that, there’s no saying for sure, until (at earliest) his first transmission. The world awaits.