Givenchy Fashion House

Welsh designer Julien Macdonald has announced he will leave French fashion house Givenchy when his contract expires in April, confirming widespread industry rumors that he would soon be replaced. Macdonald, who has been dubbed the Welsh Gianni Versace for the glamorous, flesh-revealing gowns he designs, said he was not sure if he would show a last ready-to-wear collection in March. A spokesman for Givenchy declined to comment Friday.

Welsh designer Julien Macdonald has announced he will leave French fashion house Givenchy when his contract expires in April, confirming widespread industry rumors that he would soon be replaced. Macdonald, who has been dubbed the Welsh Gianni Versace for the glamorous, flesh-revealing gowns he designs, said he was not sure if he would show a last ready-to-wear collection in March. A spokesman for Givenchy declined to comment Friday.

In another round of designer musical chairs, Julien Macdonald, who has been called the British Versace because of his glitzy designs, has been appointed creative director of the venerable French fashion house Givenchy. The move, announced in Paris on Wednesday, stunned fashion insiders who had been speculating for weeks that 24-year-old Belgian Olivier Theyskens was the front-runner to succeed Brit Alexander McQueen as the designer of Givenchy's couture and ready-to-wear lines.

In another round of designer musical chairs, Julien Macdonald, who has been called the British Versace because of his glitzy designs, has been appointed creative director of the venerable French fashion house Givenchy. The move, announced in Paris on Wednesday, stunned fashion insiders who had been speculating for weeks that 24-year-old Belgian Olivier Theyskens was the front-runner to succeed Brit Alexander McQueen as the designer of Givenchy's couture and ready-to-wear lines.