When French designer Nicolas Ghesquiere officially announced his new position as the creative director of Louis Vuitton, there was immense excitement in the fashion world.

Ghesquière was one to get into the shoes of Marc Jacobs , the first designer to create LV’s ready-to-wear collection and who left his sixteen-year post recently.

“Louis Vuitton has always incarnated for me the symbol of ultimate luxury, innovation and exploration,” Ghesquière had stated about this new venture.

“I am very honored of the mission that I am entrusted with, and proud to join the history of this great maison. We share common values and a vision.”

The former Balenciaga designer is no stranger to upholding the history of an iconic fashion brand while pushing the boundaries, and this new position will gave him the opportunity to take Louis Vuitton in a fresh, exciting direction as it approached its 160th anniversary in 2014.

Ghesquière’s first Louis Vuitton collection debut was at the Paris Fashion Week in March. This was no ordinary fashion show. The anticipation in the air outside the Cour Carree in Paris on that crisp March morning was incomparable.

“Today is a new day. A big day … Words cannot express exactly how I am feeling at this moment … Above all, immense joy,” read Ghesquiere’s note on the seats at the simple presentation, which lacked all the whiz and bang for which Jacobs’s had become known. This personal gesture seemed to bode well.

The fashion business has been on shaky ground in the past few years. The lingering effects of the global financial crisis, a 24-hour news cycle, a rapidly evolving retail model and the pressure to appeal to emerging economies have enforced immense change.

The real issue for 21st-century fashion is this: there’s simply no stopping. With the huge investments, public listings and conglomerate-building inherent in today’s industry, there is no time to stop and make decisions with much thought. When one designer leaves, a new designer must be found to replace.

Saint Pierre says, “being a designer, a creative director of a brand, requires, as it always has, a holistic approach. A brand is not just a product, it is a statement, and many of the most powerful and inspirational creative directors deal less and less with the media, (as) they engage directly with their audience.”

Which house is next for a shake-up? Giorgio Armani is still very much on his game, but as the sole owner and creative director of his business, the question of who will succeed him is growing as he reaches 80 this year. There are very few designers who can manage the business side of the brand in addition to the creative.

Succession is an inevitable gamble for fashion executives, and as creatines gain more credibility and power, the more difficult the prospect is to navigate, particularly in new markets. The better option is to be optimistic.