Designer Dossier: Nicholas Ghesquière

To call him an instant hit and a high fashion darling would be putting it mildly. Everyone from Andre Leon Talley to Suzy Menkes sung his praises. Talley wrote for Vogue, “If L’Académie Française were inducting couturiers into that most august institution, Nicolas Ghesquière would be the first to have his special sword designed and take a seat.” In 2001, Menkes stated that he was the most original designer of his generation.

Something else happened in 2001, too. The Gucci Group bought Balenciaga and by 2003, Tom Ford and longtime CEO Domenico De Sole had left. Ghesquière soldiered on, though. The new holding company gave him access to the Balenciaga vaults, and for the first time he said he said he was beginning to understand what the brand was about. He continued to make amazing collections throughout the first decade of this century until November of last year when it was announced he would be leaving. Speculation abounded as to what his next move would be, and what happened to end such a mutually profitable partnership. Until we see more of one of fashion’s most loved designers, we’ll be content to peruse looks from his last couple of collections at Balenciaga. Join us by hitting up the slideshow below.