For the past few days articles and rumours have been flying around on the Internet that designer Jean-Paul Gaultier was ready to leave his position with Hermès. Contacted by FashionMag.com, the luxury fashion house categorically denied the story.

Jean-Paul Gaultier at the end of the Hermès catwalk show for autumn-winter 2009-2010

“These rumours are without foundation,” explained Hermès. “Jean-Paul Gaultier is not quitting any of his responsibilities.”

Arriving at the fashion house following the departure of Martin Margiela at the end of 2003, Jean-Paul Gaultier has managed Hermès’ artistic direction for the six years since then.

Thanks to him, the house has come through the past few months relatively unscathed in the face of the recession. In July, Hermès published very positive results, announcing an increase in sales of 12% in the second quarter of 2009, which came to end in June. Further, leather goods have seen an increase of 33.4% and off-the-peg has risen by 12.7%

With these results perhaps the rumours should have been taken with a pinch of salt. After all, why change a winning team?

By Jonathan Fulwell (Source: C. Vautard)