Jean Paul Gaultier has announced that Ludovic de Saint Sernin will create a one-off couture collection for the iconic French fashion house. The collaboration, scheduled for January 2025, marks the eighth installment of Gaultier’s innovative guest designer series, which has become a highlight of Paris Couture Week since its inception in 2020.
De Saint Sernin, known for his boundary-pushing designs and unapologetic approach to sexuality and gender fluidity, seems like a natural fit for the Jean Paul Gaultier brand. The 32-year-old designer has made waves in the industry with his signature low-slung pants, which feature corset lacing instead of traditional zippers, and his provocative eyelet-studded, laced-crotch briefs, which created a new category of luxury men’s underwear.
Born in Brussels and raised in Paris, de Saint Sernin graduated from the École Supérieure des Arts Appliqués Duperré, where he studied womenswear. After honing his skills at prestigious houses such as Dior and Balmain, he launched his eponymous label in 2017. His work has garnered significant attention, earning him a spot as a finalist for the LVMH Prize in 2018 and winning the ANDAM creative label award that same year.
Ludovic De Saint Sernin’s aesthetic is closely aligned with Gaultier’s pioneering spirit. Both designers share a commitment to inclusivity, body positivity, and the free expression of sexuality. This synergy is evident in de Saint Sernin’s most recent collections, which blur the lines between menswear and womenswear and are presented on models of different genders.
The announcement of this collaboration comes at an exciting time for de Saint Sernin, who has recently been showcasing his creativity on an international stage. In January, he presented a collection in New York inspired by the art and photography of Robert Mapplethorpe, incorporating the artist’s floral images into technical organza tops and sensual semi-transparent cocktail dresses.
The one-off collection is expected to be unveiled during Paris Couture Week, scheduled for January 27-30, 2025.
