Ex-Balenciaga Designer Nicolas Ghesquière To Replace Marc Jacobs as Louis Vuitton's Artistic Director

Louis Vuitton confirms to Women’s Wear Daily that Nicolas Ghesquière is replacing Marc Jacobs as the brand's artistic director effective immediately. Ghesquière, the catalyst who brought Parisian brand Balenciaga to stardom, is set to show his first collection for the luxury brand next March. According to WWD, Vuitton said Ghesquière would bring “a modern creative vision to the house’s women’s collections, building on the values of refinement, savoir-faire and extreme quality.”

Ghesquière, 42, told WWD, “Louis Vuitton has always incarnated for me the symbol of ultimate luxury, innovation and exploration. I am very honored of the mission that I am entrusted with, and proud to join the history of this great maison. We share common values and a vision.” Ghesquière became the head of Balenciaga at the age of 25 in 1997 and left the position last November.

Marc Jacobs, the current artistic director of the brand, presented what would be his last collection for Louis Vuitton on Oct. 2 at Paris Fashion Week. Jacobs stood alongside designing partner Robert Duffy and LVMH Chairman Bernard Arnault to announce that he would be leaving the brand to prepare his namesake brand for expansion and an eventual initial public offering.

In his 16-year run at the label, Jacobs has turned Louis Vuitton from a company known for high-end luggage into a global brand that stands on its own among the best women’s wear collections in the world. During his tenure, Jacobs has also catapulted his own Marc Jacobs label into a contemporary, highly sought-after brand. Jacobs was known at Louis Vuitton for his elaborate presentations of the collections during fashion weeks, employing elevators, escalators, fountains and carousels.

Rumors of Ghesquière’s placement at Louis Vuitton date back to March, when Jacobs still held the position. What we hope to see from the designer is the same spectacular vision he brought to Balenciaga and now will bring to the iconic Louis Vuitton brand.