—-UPDATE—-
Apparently, Riccardo Tisci from Givenchy is in at Dior. Let’s hope to dear god he doesn’t bring his pitbulls and panthers with him. Goodbye beautiful Dior! Hello, hard, scary Dior. Sad face. (I will confirm when this is DEFINITELY confirmed.)
—-UPDATE—-
Tisci is in fact NOT confirmed to be in at Dior, or at least, Dior has denied it for now.
Giambattista Valli's designs. My number one choice for a Galliano successor. But I doubt it is going happen. Boo.
The fashion industry has been hit with successor fever, speculating about John Galliano (who will replace him?), Christophe Decarnin (will he stay on at Balmain?), Stefano Pilati (is his job at YSL secure?), Hannah MacGibbon (has her Chloe contract really been renewed?) and who will go where if people start moving. I am still unsure about who would really be the best person to replace Galliano. I like the idea of promoting within, which worked wonderfully for Alexander McQueen. I also am obsessed with the idea of Giambattista Valli, just because he has that soft, feminine hand that could be properly translated to the Dior aesthetic. He would be a change, but not an overly dramatic one. But other than that…I am at a loss. I love Haider Ackermann, but he is not Dior.
Of course it is unlike me not to have a strong opinion about something, and I can definitely tell you who I DON’T want to replace Galliano. Here they are.
1. Marc Jacobs. I think the websites who are predicting him as a potential successor are just at a loss for ideas. I feel that Marc Jacobs is at the stage in his career where he won’t really be able to surprise us much more. Sure, he will continue to do great collections for himself and Louis Vuitton but I don’t think he has it in him to re-invigorate another brand, especially since he is so committed to his own one. Plus I don’t like the way he is always so much about being “cool.” Dior isn’t “cool”, it is beautiful.
Marc Jacobs: Anyone with a Sponge Bob Square Pants tattoo and a collection called Stinky Rat is no good for Dior.
2. Alber Elbaz. Elbaz would do great things for Dior, but if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. He has shares in Lanvin, does amazing things for the brand, and I really doubt he is going anywhere. Plus then we’d have to dramatize about who would replace him there. It stresses me just thinking about that. Let him stay where he is and continue being a genius there.
3. Proenza Schouler. Judging by these guys’ last two collections, they are barely fit to design for their own brand, let alone for one of Paris’ most famous and respected fashion houses.
4. Christian Lacroix. Umm… no. I really don’t think Lacroix is capable of taking the reigns at Dior. While I love him to pieces, I have to say “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
5. Riccardo Tisci. I know Riccardo Tisci is the front runner in this debate, but after his last Givenchy collection, I have serious doubts… He doesn’t deserve it simply because he knows how to design couture.
6. Rodarte. The only thing that would be more upsetting than the Mulleavy sisters taking over at Dior would be my number 7 taking over at Dior. I am sorry, but I don’t think Rodarte is beautiful. Or special. I think it is completely overrated. And if they can barely make ends meet for themselves, how are they to lead a major brand like Dior? Will they make money selling $500 socks?
Hedi Slimane: I don't think this guy even knows how to work with colour, let alone dresses.
7. Hedi Slimane. Just because Slimane designed the same suit 500 times in a row for Dior Homme, does NOT mean he can take over the womenswear. Unless Dior wants photos of greasy rock stars and slim cut suits to be the bread and butter of their business. Which would make me very, very sad.
On a funny note, the bookies have listed the odds of Katie Price, ex. glamour model (formerly known as Jordan) as having a 1000/1 chance of taking over at Dior. Interesting. That would mean my odds are probably at least 900/1.
Anyone keen on having a reality TV show and putting possible Dior successors into a house for a month, and the public gets to vote them out, the last one in the house gets the job? That will probably yield better results than giving Hedi Slimane the job.
And yes, I do know one of the successors will probably end up coming from my list. Which will make me sad. But I’ll live.
Photo credits.
Giambattista Valli
Marc Jacobs
Hedi Slimane
