Details about Balenciaga's Lawsuit Against Ghesquière Emerges

System Magazine

Back in June it was rumored that Balenciaga was suing its ex-Creative Director, Nicolas Ghesquière over the candid interview Ghesquière gave in System magazine which detailed his dissatisfaction at Balenciaga.  Turns out that rumor is in fact true and Balenciaga lawyers confirmed that the comments made in the interview prompted the fashion house to sue.  The lawsuit also revealed that Ghesquière signed a contract before exiting Balenciaga, agreeing to not to make any comments that would damage the image of the label.

"Balenciaga didn't want its designer to justify his departure by criticizing the house that employed him," court papers state. "In general, the parties, knowing the hypersensitivity of the fashion industry to changes in creative direction, were forbidden from commenting on the break in order to avoid any detrimental effect on their economic interests or their image."  

I cannot imagine that Ghesquière did not know at the time he was giving his interview that this would cause an uproar and embarrass the label that used to employ him.  Contracts like these that impose a gag order sort of speak are commonplace in all industries when high level people leave the company.  Maybe he just didn't care or really needed to vent after all these years?  Note of caution: vent privately!

In any case, Balenciaga is going to make sure Ghesquière pays for his statements.  They are suing for €7 million (or $9.2 million) in damages and publication of the judgment in a variety of French fashion and business publications (to make sure Ghesquière is equally embarrassed perhaps?). The court date is set for October 15, 2013 although a verdict probably won't be reached until spring of next year.  

We will be following this closely!

Read more:

WWD (sub req'd): Hearing Date Set in Balenciaga Case

Fashionista: Lawsuit Reveals Juicy New Details About Nicolas Ghesquière’s Split from Balenciaga

Vogue UK: Ghesquière Vs Balenciaga: The Battle Begins