After seven fruitful years of creative partnership, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Hermes have decided to bring to an end their collaboration allowing Jean-Paul Gaultier to concentrate on his own projects. Lacoste designer Christophe Lemaire is taking over as artistic director, the fashion company announced.
The designer who was the artistic director of the luxury ready to wear brand Hermes confirmed that he was leaving it "on very good terms" and said he would still have a "privileged relationship" with the label.
Hermès is deeply grateful to Jean-Paul Gaultier for his outstanding creative contribution during these seven years. With its 45% holding, Hermès remains as the main shareholder of Jean-Paul Gaultier’s house after its creator.
Gaultier’s tenure at Hermès (which began after he succeeded Martin Margiela in 2003) was marked with his own take on the brand’s equestrian roots – mink riding jackets, velvet jodhpurs and Rocky Mountain references were all part of his avant-garde vision. His latest collection for A/W 2010-11 took inspiration from retro British spies, with leather clad models in bowler hats evoking images from The Avengers.
The spring-summer 2011 collection to be revealed in October 2010 will be the last collection created by Jean-Paul Gaultier for Hermès and Lemaire will take over for the fall-winter 2011 collection.
