Au Revior, Olivier?

Maybe this fiasco has something to do with that dress...looks like Sarah Jessica Parker got the last laugh, Olivier.

Noooo! Word on the street is that French designer Olivier Theyskens, best known for his work as artistic director for Nina Ricci, may be headed out the door. And it doesn't appear as if he's leaving voluntarily, either. The reason for the label's dismissal of their wonderboy has been cited by Fashion Week Daily as a consequence of his inability to translate his creativity to the more commercial market during these times of economic distress. The fashion publication says that his departure comes "following a Spring 2009 collection that left retailers wondering backstage if the 'real collection' was available in the showroom."

While this most recent Nina Ricci collection wasn't my favorite by any means, I think that Theyskens has done a tremendous amount for the label over the past year and a half, turning Nina Ricci into a household name (for those familiar with fashion, anyway). An article by New York Magazine only adds fuel to this rumor, reporting that Theyskens contract is set to expire in October 2009. As sorry as I will be to see him leave (if he is, indeed, leaving), at least Nina Ricci didn't pull a big one on Theyskens like Valentino did to Alessandra Facchinetti. And, looking once more at the bright side of things, we still get at least one more collection out of him before he hits the road!