Nicolas Ghesquière has given his first interview since taking the helm of Louis Vuitton in November. Speaking to Ingrid Sischy in this month's Vanity Fair, here are five things we learned.
1. There's a new coterie of muses in the LV building
Catherine Denueve, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Stella Tennant and Cindy Sherman are quoted in this article on the wonders of Ghesquière. It's a list of women that tells of his clever, timeless and hip take on fashion. It's also a dream dinner party list.
2. The reason behind the great Balenciaga bench collapse has been revealed
When, in September 2011, the benches for the fashion press snapped at a Balenciaga show, during Ghesquière's tenure as creative director, it was the talk of the season. Nearly three years later, we finally know the truth: the plastic benches were, and we quote, "baked in the oven too long", became brittle and snapped. True story.
3. Ghesquière is "gardening pals" with Deneuve
This is excellent news – mainly for the image of two of the Parisian A-list weeding side by side on kneeling cushions. Deneuve describes the designer in appropriately green-fingered terms. "He is like a tree, you know: strong. Not a flower." Revealing.
4. He was always the favourite for the job
Sischy has done her background interviews. Speaking to both Delphine Arnault, an executive vice president of Vuitton, and Michael Burke, CEO, it's clear they had their hearts set on Ghesquière once Marc Jacobs said adieu. "There was only Nicolas," says Burke.
5. He's great at mottos
Asked for a clue for his first Vuitton show, before it was revealed last month, Ghesquière emailed one line: "Never forget that what becomes timeless was once truly new." Like a haiku of forward-thinking fashion, it's one to mull over.
• This piece was amended on 13 March to correct an error.
