Nicolas Ghesquière
Nicolas Ghesquière
Learn more about Artistic Director of Women's collections, Nicolas Ghesquière
Biography
Nicolas Ghesquière was born in Comines in the north of France in 1971.
At the age of 15, he learned his way into the fashion business through various internships. After completing his studies he started as design assistant to Jean Paul Gaultier in 1991.
In 1995 he joined Balenciaga where he was appointed creative director in 1997 and was quickly acclaimed for his sculpted, futuristic silhouettes and Parisian chic. For three seasons he designed for different companies including the Italian based house of Callaghan.
In October 2001 he received the CFDA “International Designer” award. In 2006 he was elected by Times Magazine as one of the 100 most influential persons in the world and he was made “Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres” in 2007 by the French government.
He is hailed as one of the most intriguing designers of his generation and is widely credited for launching trends that have resonated throughout the world.
On November 5th, 2013, Nicolas Ghesquière joined Louis Vuitton where he was appointed Artistic Director of Women’s collections.
In November 2014, a year after his arrival at Louis Vuitton, he was awarded Fashion Innovator of the year by the Wall Street Journal, then in December he received the British Fashion Award for best international designer of the year.
Read His Letter
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.