girl bye

Alexander Wang and Balenciaga Officially Part Ways

Photo: Neil Rasmus/BFAnyc.com

Even though it’s been treated as pretty much a fait accompli in the press, Balenciaga parent company Kering did not make an official announcement until today that it was parting ways with the house’s creative director, Alexander Wang. (Contacted earlier this week, the company maintained that discussions were underway.) But today, the luxury conglomerate issued a statement confirming the parting of ways, which was framed as a joint decision. And they mentioned that a replacement “will be announced in due course” — get cracking on that, Twitter.

Wang said in the statement: “It’s been an incredible experience to work with a couture house in Paris. I am honored to have had the opportunity to work for this historical maison. I would like to thank the brilliant team at Balenciaga for their collaboration and for what we have accomplished together, and I am looking forward to taking my own brand to its next level of growth.”
 
“We are all at Balenciaga extremely grateful to Alexander for his important contribution to the style and history of this iconic house,” said the brand’s president and CEO, Isabelle Guichot. “The dynamic growth of the brand over the last years bears testimony to his successful creative work.” François-Henri Pinault, Kering’s chairman and CEO, added  “I join Isabelle Guichot and the Balenciaga house in heartfully thanking Alexander for his dedication and unique artistic contribution to the building of Balenciaga in a more globally recognized house. I personally wish him all the best.”

Spring 2016 will be Wang’s last collection for the brand, so there’s still more of his talent on tap. But if you’re feeling nostalgic, you can relive his greatest hits here.

Alex Wang and Balenciaga Officially Part Ways