Big news in the fashion world: Nicolas Ghesquière is set to continue his role as the Artistic Director of Women’s Collections at Louis Vuitton, marking a decade of his influential design journey.
Louis Vuitton and Nicolas Ghesquière: A decade of stylish success
Nicolas Ghesquière, born in 1971 in northern France, kickstarted his fashion career at just 15.
After honing his skills and wrapping up his studies, he landed a gig as Jean Paul Gaultier’s design assistant in 1991. It wasn’t long before he made his mark at Balenciaga in 1995, eventually rising to Creative Director in 1997.
Known for his sculpted, futuristic styles and Parisian chic, Ghesquière has become a name synonymous with innovation in fashion.
Ghesquière’s not just a designer; he’s a fashion luminary. In 2001, he bagged the CFDA International Designer award, and in 2006, Time Magazine listed him among the world’s 100 most influential people.
The French government even honoured him with a Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in 2007, an order awarded to people with distinctions in the artistic or literary field or for their contributions to the realm of arts and culture in France and around the world.
He’s been turning heads and setting trends that have echoed globally.
Nicolas Ghesquière joined Louis Vuitton on 5 November 2013, as the Artistic Director of Women’s collections. Just a year into his tenure, he snagged the Fashion Innovator of the Year award from the Wall Street Journal and was later named the best international designer by the British Fashion Awards.
His influence at Louis Vuitton has been nothing short of remarkable.
Ghesquière’s letter to Louis Vuitton in 2014 was a testament to his passion and vision for fashion.
He expressed immense joy and gratitude for the opportunity to align his style with the brand’s philosophy. Honouring the legacy of Marc Jacobs, he set out to create timeless designs, that embodied the spirit of Louis Vuitton.
Read the letter below:
Today is a new day. A big day. You are about to witness my first fashion show for Louis Vuitton. Words cannot express exactly how I am feeling at this moment… Above all, immense joy at being here, in the knowledge that my stylistic expression is at one with the Louis Vuitton philosophy. The proud legacy. The inspiring history that looks to the future and to the world. The quest for authenticity and innovation. The desire for timelessness. Does not every designer ultimately seek to create something timeless? I salute the work of Marc Jacobs, whose legacy I wholeheartedly hope to honour. And I thank you for being here to share this moment with me. Thanks to all of you who have helped me to tell this new story and who make Louis Vuitton what it is, and especially to those who work with me. Thanks to everyone who is here on this day, this morning. Right now.
Nicolas,
March 5th, 2014.
