BALENCIAGA CEO Isabelle Guichot has confirmed that she has "a shortlist" of potential candidates to succeed creative director Nicolas Ghesquière, following yesterday's confirmation that he would be parting ways with the brand. The designer has acted at the helm of Balenciaga for 15 years.

Guichot confirmed that Ghesquière's successor would be named "as soon as we're ready" and that they have "huge ambitions" - but stopped short of naming any designers in particular.

"My biggest interest is to focus the organisation, accompany the team and develop the brand potential, so it's in my interest to do it as soon as possible," she told WWD. "[The] brand is strong enough, developed enough and structured enough to express itself without fear."

Ghesquière's next move is not yet known. It has been suggested that the designer may plan to launch a brand under his own name, while other sources have speculated that he may wish to take up the helm at a luxury rival label.

"It was an incredible tenure for Balenciaga, in its creativity, its content, its length," Guichot said of Ghesquière's tenure as creative director. "Nicolas has many talents, he needs to express his talent and I'm sure he will do so."

The fashion world has already gone into overdrive with rumours as to who the Balenciaga successor could be; names floated include Alexander Wang, Joseph Altuzarra, Bouchra Jarrar and Christopher Kane - although nothing has been confirmed.