Alexander Wang and Balenciaga are Done

New York-based designer Alexander Wang is leaving Balenciaga to focus on his eponymous label, leaving big shoes for the European fashion house to fill.

Alexander Wang’s stint in Balenciaga has come to an end, according to Vogue. The European label and its parent company Kering have opted not to renew their contract with street fashion’s golden child.

While Wang’s reason for leaving was attributed to his desire to focus on his eponymous label, Vogue implies that Wang could have “fallen short of the critical acclaim heaped on his predecessor, Nicolas Ghesquière, although sales growth has been positive”.

Wang joined Balenciaga in December 2012 following Ghesquière’s departure to Louis Vuitton. He remodeled the French house with heavily sportswear-inspired collections, often putting out pieces with “it” factors and streetwear vibes.

It is said that the search for the next creative director has already begun. According to Vogue, Kering might be thinking of scouting a hidden underrated gem to fill the post, like Gucci’s Alessandro Michele. The announcement will be made in due course.