PARIS — The Alexander Wang era at Balenciaga is gathering steam. Coming off a year of accelerating double-digit growth, the French house with roots in Spain is to officially christen its first boutique in its spiritual homeland this month — and later this year start moving into a spectacular new home: Parent Kering’s forthcoming headquarters in a complex boasting a series of 17th-century stone buildings in cross formations. “I feel we’re already a globally recognized house, and a top luxury leader. We’re well on our way,” an upbeat Wang told WWD ahead of his Balenciaga show here tonight. In separate interviews, Wang and Balenciaga chief executive officer Isabelle Guichot unfurled a host of development plans, citing men’s wear and knitwear among chief growth opportunities. Wang and Guichot are slated to attend an opening event for the 1,500-square-foot Madrid store on March 13. “We’ve always been a little bit shy in that country,” the ceo acknowledged. In fact, it was Wang who got a bee in his bonnet about Spain. Founding couturier Cristóbal Balenciaga opened his first boutique in Madrid in 1933, making Wang’s retail statement — with the marble-heavy concept done in collaboration with Ryan Korban — a significant homecoming. Guichot said the minute the hoarding
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