Demna Gvasalia, the Georgian designer at the helm of Vetements, has been announced as the new Artistic Director at Balenciaga, taking over from Alexander Wang, who showed his final collection for the French fashion house on Friday during Paris Fashion Week.
“I am very pleased to welcome Demna Gvasalia as the artistic director of Balenciaga’s collections,” says Isabelle Guichot, president and CEO of Balenciaga. “He has quickly emerged as the best choice for the new artistic direction of the maison. With his mastery of techniques, his expertise and fashion knowledge, in conjunction with his innovative and carefully considered approach, Demna Gvasalia adopts a unique vision of the designer’s role today and thus recalls Cristobal Balenciaga’s own vision. I am confident that he will succeed in embracing Balenciaga’s core values and developing them in harmony with today’s global changes.”
François-Henri Pinault, president and CEO of fashion conglomerate Kering, who own Balenciaga, adds: “With its distinctive and radical style, Balenciaga has influenced several generations of designers and couturiers. Today, the maison stands as one of the finest jewels of French fashion heritage. I am delighted to welcome Demna Gvasalia, a powerful emerging force in today’s creative world, as artistic director of Balenciaga. Demna Gvasalia embodies a unique approach to the profession, marked by a sociological observation of the wardrobe’s essentials and the way he remains humble and rigorous in his creative work. I am convinced that he will lead Balenciaga to a successful future.”