Olivier Theyskens Leaves Nina Ricci on a High Note

DALLAS, Mar 16, 2009 / FW/ — Even during the Nina Ricci Fall 2009 catwalk show, there was already whispers that the rumors of that had been swirling for months about Olivier Theyskens leaving the venerable French fashion house was a done deed. Yet, it did not lessen the shock when the official announcement came Monday.

“The House of Nina Ricci, owned by the Puig Group, wishes to re-orientate its development strategy for the years to come. Consequently, Nina Ricci and its artistic director Olivier Theyskens have decided by mutual agreement to cease their collaboration on March 10, 2009, one season before the term initially planned in their contract,” the statement from Nina Ricci said.

Sad as the news might be, Olivier Theyskens is actually leaving Nina Ricci on a high note. Presenting one of the most critically acclaimed collections during the recently concluded Paris Fall 2009 season, no one can ever doubt the Belgian designer’s creative mojo.

Though Olivier Theyskens has not officially stated that he will re-launch his eponymous label that he put on hold when he came on board Rochas, fashion insiders are saying that it can be the most logical path Thyeskens should take.

Meanwhile, though both WWD and New York Times had said that Peter Copping, a design assistant to Marc Jacobs at Louis Vuitton is replacing Olivier Theyskens, the had been no official announcement from Nina Ricci on who will be at the creative helm of the house.