Demna Gvasalia of Vetements Named Balenciaga Artistic Director

Demna Gvasalia, the wunderkind Georgian designer behind Vetements, has been appointed artistic director of Balenciaga, effective immediately. Gvasalia will have creative responsibility for the brand's collections and the image of the house. He is expected to stage his first show for the brand in March 2016 during Paris Fashion Week.

In recent seasons, Vetements has sent ripples of new energy through the Paris fashion scene with classic, democratic clothing reimagined with new proportions and imbued with a raw-edged street sensibility. The breakout label — run by a collective that also includes Demna’s brother Guram Gvasalia and several of their friends — is best known for its oversized mannish tailoring, floral dresses and reconstructed jeans. 

Vetements was one of eight finalists for the LVMH Prize in 2015 and recently presented its Spring/Summer 2016 collection at a buzzy show that drew key industry insiders to a kitschy Chinese restaurant in Paris’ Belleville, http://www.businessoffashion.com reports.

Alongside his new role at Balenciaga, Demna Gvasalia will continue to lead the design collective at Vetements. The label is rapidly growing its network of stockists, which now number more than 150 globally. Kering does not break out figures for Balenciaga, but according to market sources, the brand generates revenues of more than 350 million euros (about $393 million).

"I am very pleased to welcome Demna Gvasalia as the artistic director of Balenciaga’s collections," said Isabelle Guichot, president and CEO of Balenciaga, in a statement. "He has quickly emerged as the best choice for the new artistic direction of the maison. 

With his mastery of techniques, his expertise and fashion knowledge, in conjunction with his innovative and carefully considered approach, Demna Gvasalia adopts a unique vision of the designer’s role today and thus recalls Cristobal Balenciaga’s own vision. I am confident that he will succeed in embracing Balenciaga’s core values and developing them in harmony with today’s global changes.”