Is speculation the new black? Asking "Who will replace John Galliano at Dior" is the fashion question of the season. For a passing moment, wondering who might design Kate Middleton's wedding dress seemed to take center stage but with Fashion Week fast approaching, we are all wondering who will be named Galliano's successor. Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH, will not be rushed into making an unwise decision and has been taking his sweet time choosing a creative director for the French house. More than twenty names have been suggested as potential replacements for the disgraced Galliano, including Riccardo Tisci, Stefano Pilati and Sarah Burton, who all work for different brands owned by LVMH and fashion stars like Alber Elbaz, Haider Ackermann and Hedi Slimane. Many, however, are misguided suggestions like Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig of Marchesa and Alexander Wang (come on, Mickey Boardman, was that for real?). Azzedine Alaia was apparently offered the position but turned it down. And who was the one who mentioned Christian Lacroix? His business has never been profitable, which is something LVMH requires of its designers.
Who do you think will take over? I suspect it will be a heavy hitter like Marc Jacobs, whose name has recently been thrown into the ring, while Brooke Bobb, our fashion assistant, suspects Alber Elbaz. What do we know? Many others have suggested that a less well known designer may be given the honorable title. Check out our list below and let us know who you are rooting for.
Top Row: Marc Jacobs (Getty Images for IMG), Alber Elbaz (Getty Images), Stefano Pilati (AFP/Getty Images), Riccardo Tisci (Getty Images). Second Row: Christian Lacroix (WireImage), Sarah Burton (Getty Images), Hedi Slimane (FilmMagic), Joseph Altuzarra (Getty Images). Third Row: Tom Ford (AFP), Haider Ackermann (Getty Images), Olivier Theyskens (Getty Images), Prabal Gurung (Getty Images). Bottom Row: Azzedine Alaia (WireImage), Alexander Wang (FilmMagic), Keren Craig and Georgina Chapman of Marchesa (FilmMagic), Nicholas Ghesquiere (FilmMagic).