Wang Out from Balenciaga! Here is Why!

After less than three years at the helm, designer Alexander Wang will be leaving the Balenciaga house, suggests reports. 

Alexander Wang is leaving Balenciaga. Here's why!

The news comes months after talks started doing the rounds that Wang is negotiating renewal of his contract with the house. And reports suggests things didn't go quite well as the French fashion house have decided not to renew Wang's contract. Commenting earlier this week, a spokesperson for Kering, the parent company of Balenciaga, and Wang told WWD that "there are discussions between the designer and Balenciaga regarding the renewal of the contract," but was unable to confirm the "likelihood of an agreement" being reached.
 
According to reports, Kering is said to be in the early stages of recruitment for the role, and has its option open to "considering a lesser-known, hidden talent for the plum post, emboldened by the positive feedback and outpouring of goodwill like it had in promoting Gucci insider Alessandro Michele to succeed Frida Giannini at the helm of the Italian brand earlier this year."

Wang who became one of the rare Americans to run an old-school French fashion house, joined Balenciaga in the late 2012. He succeeded a much celebrated Nicolas Ghesquiere who enjoyed 15 years in the Creative Director chair before officially giving it up to the young American designer. It was said that Wang, at first, was hesitant to take on the role. Apparently he refused it twice before finally accepting the offer.

 Wang is considered to be one of the most successful American designers of his generation. Known for his edgy, androgynous design aesthetic and luxury accessories the Californian-born designer launched his own label when he was just 23 year old. He went on to impress A-list celebrities with his designs landing a Balenciaga job and a sold-out 61-piece collaboration with the Swedish fast-fashion brand - H&M.
 
Although reasons for the exit have not been confirmed it is believed that the Parsons School of Design graduate has been having a hard time managing a busy schedule between his eponymous label and Balenciaga. Wang's departure could be a good thing for the designer who can now focus on his eponymous label, which is currently rumoured to be searching for a buyer. Splitting time between his New York based label and a job at the historic Paris couture house is quite a task to take on.
 
There are some who sees the exit - from a business point of view- as likely. Luca Solca, an analyst at Exane BNP Paribas observes, "Though sales rose at a double-digit rate in the past quarter, "he's not made a huge mark on Balenciaga so far" and it wouldn't be "a tragedy if he left."
 
As for the parting gift Wang will be presenting his last fashion show - spring/summer 2016 - for Balenciaga during the upcoming Paris Fashion Week.