Rumors are abuzz that Jean Paul Gaultier will be leaving his current post as creative director for French luxury giant Hermès. The highly acclaimed couture aficionado, who has been with the company for the last six years, will reportedly step down from the position following the release of the design house’s spring 2010 collection in October.
Gaultier has done well for the company since Martin Margiela resigned back in 2003. Though the company has faced a few setbacks here and there during the fashion recession, their overall numbers have been strong. Let’s not forget their recent foray into crocodile farming simply due to the high demand of their astronomically expensive handbags. That alone says quite a bit about their continued success.
We don’t know yet if the separation of creative director from label is a mutual decision or not. However, Hermès must be somewhat sorry to see him go after seeing good numbers during his stint. It is even financially invested in Jean Paul Gaultier’s personal designing with a 35 percent stake in his collection.
There’s no word yet on a possible replacement. Whoever it is, though, will have some big fashion shoes to fill.
[Image: Qiao-Da-Ye/Flickr]
