Welcome Mr. Wang

According to the New York Times‘ Cathy Horyn, Alexander Wang is the frontrunner to take over at Balenciaga. The move would make a certain amount of sense given that Wang, with his rapidly expanding New York-based line, has shown that he can make the edgy commercial. What then of the rumor, first reported in WWD yesterday, that Balenciaga’s parent company PPR is looking to invest in Christopher Kane’s label? Kane was posited by the Twittersphere as a likely Balenciaga candidate, though he denied it himself. Even after I plied him with several margaritas at a recent London dinner, he insisted he wanted to concentrate on building his own business. If PPR were to invest, it could give credence to the rumor that rival LVMH tycoon Bernard Arnault has struck a deal with outgoing Balenciaga designer Nicolas Ghèsquiere, and PPR wants to strengthen its own stable as much as possible. Along with the news today that J.W. Anderson will be doing a capsule collection for Kane’s former boss Donatella Versace at Versus, this could be a rare case of designer shuffling where everyone turns out to be a winner.

by Style.com

Exposed By Bryan Adams

Bryan Adams may be best know forever as the singer behind 1984's coming-of-age rock classic "Summer of '69". For over a decade, though, when he hasn't been rocking out, Adams has been pulling double-duty as a photographer, capturing stunning shots of musicians, actors and models for a slew of high-profile publications.
Now some of his best shots -including ones of Mick Jagger, Morrissey and Amy Winehouse- have been compiled in his firts book, Bryan Adams Exposed. Still, the multi-talented artist remains modest. "I'm not quitting the day job", he says.

Nina Ricci F/W 2013

Inez & Vinoodh sing an awesome video for the F/W 2013 Nina Ricci campaign.
 

Au Revoir Mr.Ghesquière

In a surprising move reflecting the rivalry between two French luxury titans, PPR announced on Monday the departure of Balenciaga’s star designer, Nicolas Ghesquière. 
Citing a “joint decision to end their partnership” François-Henri Pinault, chairman and chief executive of PPR, praised Mr. Ghesquière’s “incomparable creative talent,” which “has brought to Balenciaga an artistic contribution essential to the unique influence of the house.”  
Mr. Ghesquière, 41, who was not quoted in the PPR announcement, was traveling in Japan on Monday and could not be reached for comment. He joined Balenciaga when he was 25, was made creative director in 1997 and succeeded in bringing a hip and modern sensibility to the revered but dusty brand. His Balenciaga show for summer 2013 was widely applauded by critics and buyers. 

The house of Balenciaga holds a relatively low position at PPR compared with its star brand, Gucci, and to Yves Saint Laurent, which was recently reintroduced with a new designer.

Yet Mr. Ghesquière’s powerful artistic leadership and the appeal of his designs to some of the most important celebrities make it difficult to envision who might succeed him. 

The New York Times

Balenciaga - S/S 2013.  Ghesquière's latest show