Hermes And Christophe Lemaire Part Ways After Four Years

HERMES's artistic director of womenswear, Christophe Lemaire, has left the house. The designer, who took the creative helm in 2010 following Jean Paul Gaultier's departure, will show his final collection for spring/summer 2015 during Paris Fashion Week in October."Working for Hermès has been a great pleasure: a profoundly enriching experience on both a human and professional level," Lemaire said today. "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."Unlike the swift transition that followed Gaultier's departure (Lemaire was named simultaneously) the lack of any replacement is sure to lead to industry speculation. Whether an unknown but trusted member of the team or big-name designer will be installed remains to be seen, for now Hermès is simply wishing Lemaire well."I am very grateful to Christophe for the passion with which he has addressed and enriched the expression of our house in women's ready-to-wear," Axel Dumas, Hermès CEO, added. "Under his artistic direction the métier has renewed its aesthetic and produced very satisfactory financial results. I wish him the greatest success with his own label which is so close to his heart".