Jean Paul Gaultier announced he is leaving Hermes after being the high-end fashion house’s artistic director since 2004.
The designer says he wants to focus on his own projects.
The artistic director position for the Hermes ready-to-wear womenswear line will be assumed by Lacoste designer Christophe Lemaire. He will take over for the fall-winter 2011 collection. Lemaire has been head of design at Lacoste since 2000.
Gaultier will present his last collection for Hermes next October for the 2011 Spring/Summer season.
In a press release, Hermes said, "After seven fruitful years of creation, Hermes and Jean-Paul Gaultier have decided to end their collaboration, Jean-Paul Gaultier wishing to concentrate on his own projects."
The fashion went on to thank Gaultier "for his remarkable creative input over these seven years."
For his part, Gaultier said, "That’s it, the end of a beautiful story which lasted seven years."
It will not be a complete break for Gaultier. Hermes owns a 45% stake in his company.
Christophe Lemaire’s departure was also confirmed by Lacoste.