After a seven year partnership, Jean-Paul Gaultier is leaving Hermes. His Spring/Summer 2011 collection will be his last with the company, and it will be interesting to see how he leaves his mark on the runway this fall. He brought  fresh, but controlled energy and creativity to Hermes that he usually lets run wild in his personal line, and kept, if not greatly bolstered, Hermes as the ultimate line of luxury.

Gaultier hand-in-hand with model Lily Cole during Hermes’ FW10 runway show (source: fotoglif)

Christian Lemaire, currently creative director of Lacoste, will be his replacement. Lemaire was able to take Lacoste from the insufferably-preppy brand to prep-with-style.  His revitalization of the brand led to doubled sales in five years and a renewal of its status as a high-end brand. We think Hermes has made a great pick, and can’t wait to see what Lemaire will do to continue Hermes’ evolution as the ultimate source of classy fashion!