Hermes artistic director for women’s ready-to-wear, Christophe Lemaire, is down to his last days at the helm of the label, with the announcement that the 49-year-old designer is leaving his post at the luxury French brand. Lemaire held his position at Hermes since 2010. While we’re not 100 percent sure of all the reasons behind the departure, WWD suggests that Lemaire might be looking to spend more time on his namesake label: “Working for Hermès has been a great pleasure: a profoundly enriching experience on both a human and professional level,” he said of his departure. “I am proud of what we have built together. My own label is growing in an important way and I now really want and need to dedicate myself to it fully.”
Of course, with Lemaire out, we can expect a bit of speculation on a likely successor (The New York Times has already started asking questions). But for now, the designer will finish up his last collection for the label for the Spring 2015 season, which is due to bow at Paris Fashion Week in October. We wager Lemaire’s swan song collection will be a hot ticket that week. But one thing is clear — this is a very interesting time for the house of Hermes, and the world will certainly be watching to see what happens next.
[via WWD]
