It's been a dramatic couple of weeks in the fashion industry. Designers have been hopping into and out of new posts at the major fashion houses.
Christopher Kane departed from Versace's younger line Versus, fuelling recent speculation that he was joining Balenciaga as creative director. Jonathan Anderson (JW Anderson) confirmed his new role with Donatella Versace for a capsule collection with the Versus line. Brioni has also announced that former Givenchy menswear head designer Briton Brendan Mullane will be its new creative director, after the departure of American Jason Basmajian.
But the big announcement has been Alexander Wang's replacing Nicholas Ghesquiere at Balenciaga. Ghesquiere had been at the label for 15 years, transforming the Spanish couture house into a lauded modern brand. I suspect that Wang, who has done well with his own accessories line, will add something to the mix, and bring a more commercial approach to the label.
Ghesquiere's recent translation of Balenciaga, with his boxy shapes and urban-working woman edge, has much in common with the fuss-free, tough New York girl that Wang espouses. Doubts have been voiced as to whether the 28-year-old designer can handle the full spectrum of Balenciaga - a complex and storied label - as well as developing his eponymous line in New York.
The movements point to the future direction of fashion. But I hope designers will continue to focus on their own labels. After all, they may be the big fashion houses of the future.