There are few designers as avant-experimental as Hussein Chalayan. That, combined with the fact that he enjoys an enormous cult following, likely made the decision to hire him as Vionnet’s Demi-Couture designer — announced today — a fairly easy one.

The concept of the elite line, now in its third season, is to bring together the famed craftsmanship of French haute couture with the wearability of ready-to-wear. His first collection will be presented at the couture shows later this month.

Uniquely qualified for the job, Chalayan will work with Vionnet chairman and creative director Goga Ashkenazi to create one-of-a-kind dresses. As Ashkenazi has owned a majority stake of Vionnet for less than two years, her tapping of Chalayan clearly indicates a new direction for the house that lied dormant for 67 years before 2006.