When Olivier Theyskens left Nina Ricci before his contract was due to expire, because of rumored discord with Puig Fashion Group head Mario Grauso about his designs not being commercial enough, the speculations started immediately as to where the designer would end up.
Many are still hoping that the talented young designer will re-launch his namesake label (he owns the rights to his trademark), but he has made no statement to point to that as of yet.
It was further rumored that he may take on a design role at Schiaparelli, the dormant brand owned by Tod’s Diego Della Valle which is slated for revival in 2010.
However, the most rampant rumor has been that Theyskens would take on a design role at Halston, which is looking for a new creative director (the previous creative director, Marco Zanini, left Halston after two seasons last year).
Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour is a big time supporter of the young designer (her daughter Bee Schaffer wore a Nina Ricci gown to this year’s Costume Institute Gala), and it is being reported that Wintour would like to see Theyskens at the helm of Halston. Narciso Rodriguez and Marios Schwab are also reportedly being considered to follow in the steps of creative director Marco Zanini.
Unfortunately for Theyskens fans, things seem to be far from definite. When New York Magazine spoke to the designer at the Costume Institute Gala about Halston, he said — “Oh God. These are rumors. These rumors — I have to live with that.”
When asked whether he would opt for a role as Halston’s creative director if it were to be offered to him, he told the mag — “Oh, this I don’t know. Really. It’s really something I don’t know.”
Images courtesy of the Fashion Spot forums.
