We’d (almost) never advocate biting the hand that feeds you, but we’re still happy to hear that Hussein Chalayan has bought back from Puma a majority stake in his namesake label. Prompted by financial hardships (how many dresses with 3-D ape prints can one really sell?), the conceptually minded designer originally unloaded a hefty portion of his operation to the sports apparel company in February 2008. The unlikely partnership of Chalayan’s art and Puma’s commerce yielded some nice, if somewhat tame, offerings. But despite consistent editorial acclaim and an increasing retail presence, the label couldn’t help but lose some of its adventurous spirit. So here’s hoping that the newly independent Chalayan (cue Destiny’s Child Independent Women) will return to his intrepid roots and surpass even his own unprecendented achievements.