The ex-Balenciaga designer was the favourite to step into the role, which was vacated by Marc Jacobs in October following a 16-year tenure.

‘Louis Vuitton is thrilled to welcome Nicolas Ghesquière as artistic director of the women’s collections,’ ran today’s tweet from @LouisVuitton, confirming the appointment.

Ghesquière starts with immediate effect, and will show his first collection for Vuitton for autumn/winter 2014 in March.