Retail wunderkind Alexander Wang will take the reins at Balenciaga for Nicolas Ghesquière, who will exit the house on Monday, WWD reports.
The New York-based designer, who runs his eponymous line as well as his diffusion line T by Alexander Wang, will follow Ghesquiére’s 15-year stint at Balenciaga. Although WWD cited unnamed sources who broke the news, an announcement from the brand is expected next week. Neither Balenciaga nor Alexander Wang officials have commented.
The move may represent an effort at Balenciaga to open up to a broader audience. Ghesquière's collections were marked by couture levels of detail, and the couture level price tags to match.
Wang, on the other hand, has quickly transformed his mens and womens collections into major retail presences since his company's launch in 2005, finding success in his diffusion line and in accessories, the latter an important category at Balenciaga.
Dropping out of New York’s Parsons School for Design in 2005, Wang launched his first ready-to-wear collection in 2007. He released his diffusion line T by Alexander Wang in 2009 – the same year he was awarded the Vogue/CFDA Fashion Fund Award.
