Following Jean Paul Gaultier's retirement from fashion, the esteemed French designer has announced that Chitose Abe of sacai will be the first in a series of guest designers invited to create Jean-Paul Gaultier's next couture collection.
In a statement to WWD, Gaultier said, “I am pleased that this concept will become reality now with Chitose Abe of Sacai as the first guest designer. I admire her work, we have many things in common creatively and a similar vision of fashion. I am glad to give her the complete freedom."
Abe already has a number of collaborations under her belt including projects with Birkenstocks, Beats by Dr. Dre, Uggs, The North Face, and an ongoing collaboration with Nike since 2014. However, this will mark Abe's first time lending her design talents to a couture collection, and suggests that the popular fashion trend of moving/revolving designers is finally coming to haute couture.
Speaking to WWD, Abe commented, “I have a long-held admiration for Jean Paul’s unique vision of subversive femininity and his originality, both of which I’ve strived towards in my work since the beginning. It’s a true honor to be given the opportunity to be custodian of his house as the first designer of this project."
The news will add even more excitement to the approaching Paris Couture Week in July, which will also see the debut of Demna Gvasalia's first couture collection for Balenciaga as well.
