Paris fashion house hires hot New York designer

"Balenciaga and PPR are pleased to announce the appointment of Alexander Wang to the post of Creative Director of the Balenciaga fashion house, as of today," said a joint statement from Balenciaga and its owner, the PPR luxury group.

"Alexander Wang has responsibility for designing the brand's women's and men's ready-to-wear and accessories collections, as well as for Balenciaga's image," it said.

PPR took the fashion world by surprise last month by announcing the departure of Ghesquière, its designer of 15 years, who put the historic house of Spanish designer Cristobal Balenciaga back on the fashion map in his time there.

The trade magazine Women's Wear Daily reported on Friday the choice of the 28-year-old Wang, one of the hottest names on the New York fashion scene, to succeed him.