UPDATE: Looks like the Post got it right! Nicola Formichetti is indeed headed to Diesel as Artistic Director. Founder Renzo Rosso made the following statement in a press release today: “I finally met somebody as crazy as I am. Nicola shares my vision and I find it incredibly inspiring to work with him: two creative planets are colliding to generate fresh, mad, insane ideas. With his help, I want to break more rules and bring the real Diesel to a new generation.”
UDATE: After yesterday's announcement that the designer is leaving Mugler, rumors are blooming today that Nicola Formichetti is headed to Diesel.
The New York Post
thinks he'll assume the position of Creative Director after palling around with founder Renzo Rosso during Paris Fashion Week, while
WWD
is of the (probably well-informed) opinion that the pair are working on a major, but temporary, collaboration. And don't forget he had previously announced plans to launch an eponymous label, Formichetti, sometime in mid-2013 — leading many to speculate that Rosso is backing the project.
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Two years ago, Nicola Formichetti sent Lady Gaga strutting down the runway in a white Mugler dress with down-to-her-butt ponytails and a lit, smoking cigarette underneath a saucer-like hat. It was a runway extravaganza, even if the futuristic, cerulean, and cream collection took second place. Formichetti used his relationship with Gaga to propel Mugler into a new stratosphere — one where the line between Formichetti's projects (and his penchant for muses like Gaga, Zombie Boy, and Nomi Ruiz) and Mugler's aesthetic were blurred. Mugler took on the gritty, hyper-stylized, party-kid aesthetic that made Formichetti one of the most sought-after stylists in the world.
It appears, however, that the relationship has ended. Today, Mugler announced that it was splitting with Formichetti and is gearing up to reveal a new strategic plan that, according to WWD, "builds on its highly successful legacy in fragrance and its new momentum in fashion.” A new momentum, of course, that Formichetti helped ignite. Fortunately, it sounds like the move is amicable. Joel Palix of Clarins Group said, "With his talent for communication and understanding modern imagery and design, Nicola has been instrumental in attracting a newaudience which is undeniably crucial for the future strategy of the house. He will be a historical part of the Mugler legacy and known as the force that catapulted us forward.” A lovely sentiment, but perhaps this means the end of Mugler runway shows, as it sounds like the brand is gearing up to focus solely on its luxury fragrance.
Don't worry about Formichetti: The creative director of the Haus of Gaga has plenty on his plate. He'll certainly be back shortly with something endlessly creative, bloggable, and set to send fashion into a tizzy.
Photo: Via Nicola Formichetti's Tumblr