The Takeover

STORIED HISTORIES VERSUS CONTEMPORARY NAMES— METRO DISSECTS THE CURRENT DESIGNER ROULETTE TREND. WHAT MATTERS MORE NOW—THE FASHION HOUSE OR WHOEVER IS MOVING IN?

- Ria Gamboa

Much like an episode of your favorite soap opera, keeping up with fashion houses and their Creative Directors has proven to be a guilty pleasure many of us can’t seem to get enough of. Fashion’s protagonists have maxed out the narratives: Divorcing and marrying houses, with each storyline getting more frenetic by the month. Miss one season and you’re out of the loop; watch a few episodes and you’re instantly reeled back in.

In the past few years, we’ve watched the likes of Anthony Vaccarello move to Saint Laurent, Maria Grazia Chiuri to Dior, and Natacha Levi to Chloé. But how will these changes affect the brand and their loyal followers?

Recent events have also put more attention on the current designer roulette. Following the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and the now Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle, much ado was made around the appointment (though rather belated) of Clare Waight Keller as the first female Creative Director of the storied house of Givenchy.