The 67-year-old designer’s final couture show will take place this week in Paris.
French designer Jean-Paul Gaultier has announced his retirement from the fashion industry after an impressive 50 years in the business. The irreverent creator said he will be bowing out with “a big party” to celebrate the end of his couture career.
“Now I am going to give you a scoop,” he said in an Instagram post, “This will be my last haute couture show. My last Gaultier Paris show. You have to come, you can’t miss that. but, but, but, I assure you, Gaultier Paris will go on, the haute couture will continue.” Adding that, “I have a new concept. I will tell you about it later, all the little secrets. To be continued! Kisses!”
Jean-Paul Gaultier founded his fashion label in 1982 though he has also served as the creative director at French luxury house Hermès from 2003 to 2010 and most recently with contemporary clothing brand Supreme; and while his announcement to retire from the runway has come as a shock, the designer promises this isn’t the end of his presence in the fashion industry.
“This show celebrating 50 years of my career will also be my last. But rest assured Haute Couture will continue with a new concept,” he wrote next to the video post.
A spokesperson for Gaultier told AFP that while the designer will most certainly will be back, it may not be in the way the fashion industry expects; much like Japanese designer Kenzo, who has since transitioned into interior design, Gaultier is expected to explore different areas of design and creation.
Gaultier’s final couture show will take place in Paris at Théâtre du Châtelet this on Wednesday, January 22.