Duran Lantink Named Creative Director at Jean Paul Gaultier: A Bold New Chapter in Fashion
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In a major fashion headline this month, Jean Paul Gaultier has announced Dutch designer Duran Lantink as its new creative director, marking a strategic pivot after years of inviting guest designers to lead its haute couture collections.
🎨 Who Is Duran Lantink?
Lantink rose to fame in 2018 with his viral design of the iconic “vagina pants” worn by Janelle Monáe in her Pynk video. Since then, he’s worked with A-listers like Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, and Doja Cat, making waves for his avant-garde style and commitment to upcycled fashion.
He’s no stranger to recognition either — in 2024, he received the Karl Lagerfeld Special Jury Prize from LVMH, and in 2025, he bagged the prestigious International Woolmark Prize.
"Duran has the energy, audacity, and playfulness I had at the beginning of my career," said Jean Paul Gaultier.
🧵 A New Era: Ready-to-Wear Returns
What’s most exciting? For the first time since 2014, Jean Paul Gaultier will relaunch its ready-to-wear line, with Lantink taking the reins.
- His first RTW collection will be unveiled at Paris Fashion Week in September 2025
- His first haute couture collection will follow in January 2026
This move promises to bring continuity, cohesion, and a distinct identity to the label — something Gaultier had lacked since stepping back in 2020.
♻️ Fashion With Purpose
Duran Lantink is widely recognized for his eco-conscious fashion methods, often deconstructing and reworking unsold luxury items into something entirely new. Think of it as Frankenstein fashion meets high art.
In a world increasingly dominated by fast fashion, Lantink brings a refreshing ethos — slow, sustainable, and meaningful. His arrival at JPG aligns with a broader push across luxury fashion toward upcycling and circular design models.
Check out his past collections on his official website to get a glimpse of what to expect next.
🧑🎨 What’s Next?
The fashion industry has high hopes that Lantink will reinvent Jean Paul Gaultier for the Gen Z and Gen Alpha era — one that values authenticity, sustainability, and bold aesthetics.
This appointment is not just about one designer; it’s a signal that legacy brands are ready to hand over the reins to a new generation of creatives unafraid to break the rules.
