schwab takes manhattan

Marios Schwab to Helm Halston

Forget those rumors about Olivier Theyskens heading to Halston. After almost a year without a head designer, the label has hired Marios Schwab as creative director. Even better, Schwab, who is adorable, is moving from London to New York for the gig! The 31-year-old designer launched his own label in 2005 and studied at Central Saint Martins in London. He debuted at London Fashion Week in 2006. Also, he’s half Austrian, half Greek (swoon). His first collection for Halston will bow in February for fall 2010. His spokespeople would not confirm rumors that he’ll continue to show his namesake line at London Fashion Week, but how fabulous would it be if he showed here? After seeing Schwab’s spring 2009 show, Halston executives thought the designer would be a good fit for the label. They were impressed by his modern use of jersey and fluid silhouettes, which are right in line with the Halston aesthetic.

The label is also launching a new collection called Halston Heritage, consisting of reissues of iconic Halston looks of yore. Those pieces will range from $55 for a tee-shirt to $595 for an occasion dress, which are pretty reasonable prices. Halston chief’s say the line’s purpose is to “help crystallize the difference between the brand’s history and its future.” In other words, in case the main collection doesn’t make money or Schwab doesn’t work out, these pieces should sell pretty well.

Halston Taps Marios Schwab as Creative Director [WWD]
The Search Is Over [British Vogue]

Marios Schwab to Helm Halston