The French designer Jean-Paul Gaulitier well known for designing the cone bra for Madonna on her 1990 Blond Ambition Tour is about to step down as the artistic director of Hermes International SCA’s women ready to wear outfit after seven long years.
Christopher Lemaire will be replacing Gaultier and the spring-summer collection which will be presented in October will be his last created. The chief executive officer of Luxury Institute said that it is a brilliant move and will give new energy and innovation to bring the apparel to the same level of recognition as handbags, ties and scarves.
Jean-Paul Gaultier had a deep relationship with Jean-Louis-Dumas since 1999 when the former president and chief executive officer of Hermes signed Gaultier to bring new blood to handbags and silk ties. The Paris based company founded in 1837 by Theirry Hermes, said that they are really grateful to the designer for his outstanding contribution.
Lemaire launched his own brand in 1991 and gained experience with Christian Lacroix, Jean Patou, Yves Saint Laurent and Thierry Muger and has been the artistic director of Lacoste since 2001. In 2009 Hermes posted net income of 288.2 million euros and revenue of 1.9 billion euros. Hermes is well known for the Kelly handbags which are marked at 4,000 euros.
via businessweek
