Kris Van Assche, Gareth Pugh

Have his lackluster showings at Dior Homme finally caught up with him? Dior Homme’s current Creative Director, Kris Van Assche might be getting the boot. Like it or not, the buzz around “IT” designer of the moment, Gareth Pugh is not going anywhere, anytime soon. The English designer is rumored to be in the process of taking up a consulting position at Dior Homme.  Pugh’s entrance would likely result in Kris Van Assche’s departure.

The rumors of Van Assche’s ousting began after Grazia reported that Delphine Arnault, the daughter of LVMH head Bernard Arnault sat front row at Pugh’s debut menswear collection this past Sunday evening. Arnault is not known for staying out late, so her appearance got people talking.

Derek Blasberg over at Style.com even reported on the rumor after overhearing people converse at a dinner for Kim Jones’ debut for Dunhill. Multiple sources have been either fussing over the wearability factor of Pugh’s collection or the possibility of most of it not seeing production. But then what is the point of such an expensive show? “Many claim wearability wasn’t a factor in the least, but that this show was Pugh’s audition for LVMH.”

If that was in fact Pugh’s audition for Dior Homme, Van Assche should be in the process of packing up shop. Whether this happens or not, it is intriguing to think about what Dior Homme would look like under the creative vision of Pugh. And once again, there is hope for Dior Homme.