Belgian designer Glenn Martens has been appointed as the new creative director of Maison Margiela, effective immediately. This announcement comes after the departure of John Galliano, who led the brand for a decade.

Martens, 41, hails from Bruges, Belgium, and is an alumnus of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. His early career includes a stint as a junior designer at Jean Paul Gaultier. He later founded his own label and, in 2013, took over as creative director of Y/Project, following the passing of its founder, Yohan Serfaty. Under Martens’ leadership, Y/Project gained acclaim for its avant-garde designs and innovative approach.

In 2020, Martens was appointed as the creative director of Diesel, another brand under the OTB Group, which also owns Maison Margiela. At Diesel, he revitalized the brand with edgy, street-savvy collections and cutting-edge textile techniques, significantly boosting its appeal among younger consumers.

Given Maison Margiela’s legacy of avant-garde fashion and deconstruction, Martens’ appointment suggests a continuation and evolution of these themes. Industry observers anticipate that he will honour the brand’s foundational principles while introducing fresh perspectives, potentially leading to collections that are both innovative and deeply rooted in the house’s unique aesthetic.