In a significant shift for the French fashion house, Jean Paul Gaultier has officially appointed the innovative Dutch designer Duran Lantink as its new creative director. The announcement confirms earlier speculation and signals the end of the brand’s recent tradition of rotating guest designers for its couture collections.
Lantink, celebrated for his radical upcycling approach and commitment to sustainability and inclusivity, will present his inaugural ready-to-wear collection for Jean Paul Gaultier at Paris Fashion Week in September 2025.
Introducing Lantink as the “new enfant terrible in fashion” and welcoming Duran, Jean Paul Gaultier himself expressed on social media that he saw in him the same enthusiasm, boldness, and playful attitude in fashion that he had at the start of his own career.
The appointment of Lantink marks a new chapter for the house, which has embraced a series of high-profile guest designers for its couture lines since the 2020s. Among these temporary creative directors were Ludovic de Saint Sernin, Simone Rocha, Haider Ackermann, Chitose Abe, Olivier Rousteing, and Glenn Martens.
Lantink’s burgeoning career has been marked by notable achievements. He recently won the prestigious International Woolmark Prize 2025 for a collection crafted entirely from merino wool. He first garnered international attention in 2018 for his striking ‘vulva pants’ designed for the artist Janelle Monáe, a piece that encapsulated his provocative and playful design ethos.
He launched his own brand in 2019 with the goal of upcycling and repurposing old clothing and materials to create one-of-a-kind pieces. His previous honors include the Karl Lagerfeld Prize at the LVMH Awards 2024, the ANDAM Special Prize, the Dutch Design Award (2016), an honorable mention at the International Fashion Showcase, and his first appearance on the official Paris Fashion Week calendar in October 2023. He was also recognized as one of the most influential figures in fashion by The Business of Fashion.
