Zac Posen Rumored to Revive the Charles James Fashion House, Naturally

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Could Zac Posen have had any idea that the Costume Institute's Charles James exhibit would turn out to be so lucrative for him? Several months after the designer hit the Met Ball dress code on the nose with sculptural gowns for Dita von Teese, Sarah Silverman, and models Arizona Muse and Liu Wen, Page Six reports that Posen has been retained as a creative consultant for Charles James house's resurrection.

Photo: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The revival of the label, which shut down following James's death in the 1970s, is being spearheaded by Harvey Weinstein—the film executive announced that he purchased the name rights from the designer's children the day before the Met Ball. Naturally, he's already brought on his wife, Marchesa co-creative director Georgina Chapman, as well as her partner Keren Craig and her brother/Marchesa CEO Edward Chapman, as consultants (after Posen, Marchesa probably had the second-best night on the red carpet, along with the late Oscar de la Renta).

An announcement has yet to be made from either Posen or Weinstein's camps, but considering this acquisition isn't completely out of left field—comparisons between Posen and James were drawn well before the revival was even announced—expect to hear the official word soon.

Meanwhile, the Costume Institute is readying its exhibit on Chinese fashion for its debut two months from now. Could we expect a designer rebirth from this one, too?