Jean Paul Gaultier's Next Couture Collection Will Be Designed by Sacai's Chitose Abe

The move is part of the brand's serial collaborations initiative following Gaultier's announcement that his show in January was his last.

March 4, 2020

Sacai's Chitose Abe will craft the fall 2020 couture collection for Jean Paul Gaultier.

The news follows an announcement in January that Gaultier was making the spring 2020 couture show his last one, following which a series of collaborations would ensue. WWDfirst reported Wednesday that Abe would be the first of these collabs, which are a part of Gaultier's aim of having a new designer's voice leading the charge each season as a way of interpreting "the codes of the house."

In a statement, Abe noted her longtime admiration for the Gaultier vision of "subversive femininity" represented across the brand's work.

"It's a true honor to be given the opportunity to be custodian of his house as the first designer of this project," Abe said.

Expect to see what Abe brings to the Jean Paul Gaultier universe when her designs are shown on the runway during couture shows in July.

Gaultier's final show was held at the historic Théâtre du Châtelet in January and boasted appearances by Issa Lish, Boy George, Dita von Teese, Coca Rocha, Amanda Lear, Rossy de Palma, and more.

When speaking with Interview Magazine about his final show, Gaultier was asked to name "any new designers" who might hold his interest him moving forward. "Ah, there is one whom I truly love," Gaultier said at the time. "That is Martin Margiela, my ex-assistant. I knew from the beginning that he would be excellent. I didn’t expect him to be as great as he is, though."