Nicolas Ghesquière

Nicolas Ghesquière (born 1971 in Comines, Nord) is a globally recognized fashion designer and is currently creative director for the house of Balenciaga owned by the Gucci Group. He grew up in Loudun, Vienne.

Nicolas worked from 1990-1992 as an assistant to designer Jean-Paul Gaultier. He then worked at Pôles, designing their knit wear line followed by a series of inauspicious assignments with different companies including the Italian house of Callaghan.

Through his contacts with Marie-Amélie Sauve and Nathalie Marrec, of Balenciaga, Ghesquière eventually landed a job doing the licensing for Balenciaga (the unglamorous, mass-production side of fashion) and designing for the Asian market.

In 1997, at the young age of 25, Ghesquière was the surprise choice to head Balenciaga.

His pencil-thin pants are particularly popular, many girls say he cuts the sexiest trousers for women. Ultimate proof of success, they're now widely copied everywhere, have become a fashion paradigm.