MARC JACOBS

Pros: 1) Creative director of a LVMH fashion company, therefore familiar with Bernard Arnault and the Dior house.

2) Rumours are saying that despite Marc renewing his contract with Louis Vuitton, he could be granted permission to design for both Dior and Louis Vuitton if named creative director.

3) The tailoring of his footwear and accessories for Louis Vuitton has a similar charm to those of Dior.

4) Is able to create several lines with several different looks - no inspiration is overused or overlooked.

Cons: 1) Chairing Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Marc Jacobs, and Marc by Marc Jacobs would likely be extremely overwhelming for Marc.

2) Little experience with couture - all of the aforementioned labels have only Ready-to-Wear lines.

3) Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs/Marc by Marc Jacobs have a more whimsical, practical approach to fashion. Clothes are made to sell and not to be seen as a work of art.

4) Marc Jacobs generally sets trends within fashion - the House of Dior is more known for tailoring to the quintessential reformed French woman than a younger crowd.

5) Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs are sensible, wearable lines. Couture needs to be frivolous and embraces a sort of fantasy - it's very absurd and sublime.

6) Does not possess Galliano's eye for detail.

Likelihood of Jacobs Being Named Creative Director: 35%. While he's undeniably talented, he does not have the flair and the incredibly important eye for precision and detail that is needed to head Dior's design team.


AZZEDINE ALAïA

Pros: 1) Has been in the business long enough to know what sells, what wows, and what creates hype.

2) Has extensive experience with both haute couture and ready-to-wear collections. Can create a collection that sells, is seen as a work of art, or somewhere in between.

Cons: 1) Has already been offered the job and declined it immediately. Unless there are some serious perks added to the title, I don't think he'll be taking the job anytime soon.

2) Too outspoken. Galliano was obviously fired for this feat, and Alaïa seems to be handicapped by this flaw. In a recent interview, he went on to bash a handful of the fashion industry's most elite, including Karl Lagerfeld and Anna Wintour.

3) His work is much more minimalistic than the incredibly intricate and feminine pieces Dior is known for.

4) Does not experiment with fabrics like Galliano did.

5) Loss of relevance. Alaïa's day has seemed to pass. Dior needs a fresh, young designer who can breathe life into the taboo label.

Likelihood of Alaïa Being Named Creative Director: 10%. He clearly is not all that interested in the job and does not seem to have a parallel vision to the past creative directors at Dior.


RICARDO TISCI

Pros: 1) Is a young, influential designer.

2) The current creative director of a classic, well-known French fashion house (Givenchy) who has a similar clientele to Dior.

3) Has extensive ready-to-wear and couture design experience.

4) Experiments with fabrics, colours, and patterns similar to the way Galliano did.

5) Is able to take sources of inspiration from an eclectic variety of things, and always pulls it off effortlessly.

6) Lives a very private life - not surrounded by any known controversy.

7) Has established a rapport with influential celebrities.

8) Has an elegant approach to fashion - exactly what Dior needs.

9) Givenchy is a part of the LVMH group, therefore, Tisci has likely built up a rapport with Bernard Arnault and his associates.

Cons: 1) Seems to be very passionate about the Givenchy label. Claims that he is happy to keep his position as creative director here.

2) Givenchy's couture is much more streamlined than Dior's.

Likelihood that Tisci Will Be Appointed Creative Director: 75%. Rumours were swirling around months ago that Ricardo had snagged the title, but everyone has since kept quiet about it. Nevertheless, Ricardo is young (which Bernard Arnault seems to be looking for), has received endless praise for both his couture and ready-to-wear collections, and has built up a rapport and is well-respected within the fashion industry.


PRABAL GURUNG

Pros: 1) A young, fresh designer who is recieving instant recognition for his work. Gurung won the 2010 CFDA Award for Womenswear.

2) His clothing is classic and embodies the same sort of vibe that of which Dior possesses.

3) Has built up a rapport with models who are frequent faces in Dior shows and campaigns, i.e. Karlie Kloss and Constance Jablonski.

4) His pieces are more of a classic sartorial item than a trend-setting piece.

5) Leads a private life - no known controversy.

6) His clothes are favoured by several young and influential celebrities, i.e. Hailee Steinfeld.

Cons: 1) His line is not owned by LVMH, and therefore, has likely not built up a solid rapport with Bernard Arnault and his associates.

2) As a fairly new designer, he may not be able to hold up to expectations or the pressure associated with being the creative director of Dior, especially after the Galliano controversy.

3) No haute couture experience.

4) No known accessory design experience.

Likelihood That Gurung Will Be Appointed Creative Director: 55%. While Gurung is a new designer and has no haute couture experience, his ready-to-wear line is the most similar line to Dior.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

1) Haider Ackermann: While he is undeniably talented, I think that his signature look is far too edgy and fashion-forward for Dior. I can see him replacing Karl Lagerfeld a few years down the road, though!

2) Alber Elbaz (of Lanvin): While he has an elegant eye and has a similar signature look to Dior (and he's French!), Elbaz has expressed that he has not been offered the position and wishes to remain at Lanvin.

3) Sarah Burton (of Alexander McQueen): Rumours swirling around mentioned that Burton was a contender in the running for the creative director position. While she can clearly drive a high-end line out of controversy and has a beautiful vision, I don't see her leaving her post anytime soon. As a long-time assistant to McQueen, I would assume that Sarah is dedicated to heading the label in honour of his memory. Also, she has only held the title of creative director for Alexander McQueen for a year and a half - she would probably like to continue working with the label!

Which designer do you think will be named Dior's creative director? Is there someone not on this list whom you think may earn the title? Personally, my bet is on Ricardo Tisci!

Re-edit: It looks like Marc Jacobs is going to be named creative director of Dior any day now. I was wrong!