Photo: Patrick McMullan

Richard Chai is reportedly interviewing to take the top design position at Bill Blass, Fashion Week Daily reports. A spokesperson for Chai wouldn't comment, and neither would a representative of Peacock Holdings LLC, which bought Bill Blass from NexCen at the end of last year. However, Peacock said a new creative director would be announced in about a month. Whether or not Chai is appointed, Bill Blass should return to the runways in September. After the months-long drama with Peter Som leaving and NexCen laying off the Blass staff, we can scarcely believe that the label is back on its feet so quickly.

Chai would be a good fit for Blass, aesthetically. Known for his classic American sportswear, Chai's career took off when he launched the Marc by Marc Jacobs line. After that he designed for TSE, then launched his namesake collection in 2004. His awards include the Ecco Domani prize in 2005. He was also a top-ten finalist for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund last year. He's also a favorite of retailers, like Barneys fashion director Julie Gilhart, and the be all end all of editors, Anna Wintour. We wonder if she had anything to do with helping get him in the door.

A New Man at Bill Blass [FWD]