What if : Nicolas Andreas Taralis had become the new creative director of Dior Homme instead of kris van assche ?

What would have happened to Dior Homme if only Nicolas Andreas Taralis, had been selected to replace Hedi Slimane instead of kris van assche? Is a question that many fashionistas ask, but very few are able to respond. Nicolas, as well as kris van assche, worked hand-by-hand with Hedi. Nevertheless, his amusing conception of male aesthetics outgrows by far whatever creation kris van assche may offer to Dior Homme.

There is clear consensus between those who deeply appreciate the "heroin chic" aesthetic Hedi Slimane marvelously developed: Dior's decision to select kris van assche as its creative director only proves the vast desire of the renamed French fashion house to elaborate more profitable collections - In a need to widen their market, the kris van assche style was embraced.

Having studied in the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, under the tuition of one of the most successful designers the fashion world has seen in the last few decades, Nicolas got to work with Hedi Slimane after a relatively short time and with no effort what so ever. By working with Hedi side by side, he learned to appreciate the entire concept of slimness and freshness. The love for the obscure and the androgynous also became a part of Nicolas's taste - he soon begun elaborating a collection the would became the femme version of Dior Homme.

Tons of ovations he received, as well as the support from magazines such as Vogue and W, and he caused quite a stir in the fashion scene. He was completely ready to unleash his talent as the designer in chief at Dior. With kris van assche is more of the same; he will create a poor symbiosis of what he has done at his label and what is left behind of Hedi. The avant-garde style that Slimane had shown at Paris this year, criticized by many, won't stand a chance under kris van assche's supervision. With Nicolas, it would have been so much different:a darker palette would have prevailed; the concept of Dior Homme as the label worn but the hip boys would have stayed; and, most important, in a way or another, it would have given him the chance to shine.

Further this year, the first collection by kris van assche will be presented. We sincerely hope that it causes quite a fashion commotion and that he choses another theme rather than hearts for his first line. I pray that I'm mistaken, that their is still a chance to embrace Hedi's avant-garde taste for menswear fashion, but facts prove exactly the opposite.

Nowadays, in a little atelier, works the man who could have sustained the artistic movement that will be remembered for decades to come...(so much drama)

Photo Courtesy: Sonny Vandevelde for a Diane, a shaded view of fashion.