Alexander Wang could be leaving Balenciaga after just over two-and-a-half years at the helm reports suggest. The New York designer is still under contract and working on the forthcoming spring/summer 2016 collection set to be shown this October in Paris, but it seems that beyond that point his future is less certain.
A spokesperson for Kering, the conglomerate that operates Balenciaga, and Wang told WWD this morning 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.
Unlike some companies plagued by rumours of a designer switch, Balenciaga is in no way floundering. The house has grown from just three stores to 90 over the past seven years, and CEO Isabelle Guichot celebrated accelerated double-digit growth in "almost all categories" last year.
One potential area for discord is Wang's focus on his eponymous label, which is currently rumoured to be searching for a buyer. Based in New York, the label requires Wang's creative attention as it grows but - as the only Kering designer splitting his time between a major label and a job at a historic house - the young creative could find the task challenging.
Perhaps bringing Wang's own label within the Kering fold would simplify things, but with Christopher Kane and Joseph Altuzarra recently added to the roster, the French conglomerate may already have its hands full.
Balenciaga did not immediately respond when asked for a comment.
This article originally appeared on vogue.co.uk
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