Glenn Martens, the Diesel designer, has been named creative director at Margiela. He replaces John Galliano, who left the brand in December.

Like the house founder, the new creative director has a love of the avant-garde.

Glenn Martens, the current creative director at Diesel, has been announced as the next creative director of Maison Margiela. After John Galliano’s departure in December 2024 -who was at the helm of Margiela for 10 years – the industry has been speculating who will take over the vacant chair – with Ye (Kanye West) even suggested.

Martens grew up in the Belgian city of Bruges and graduated from Antwerp’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts in 2008. He was famously recruited by Jean Paul Gaultier after Gaultier saw his graduation show and conscripted him as junior designer for his women’s pre-collection and the G2 men’s label.

Martens was offered a role at Jean Paul Gaultier as junior designer for the women’s pre-collection and his menswear label G2. In 2012, he started his own eponymous label, which made its debut at Paris Fashion Week, and ran for three seasons.

: According to the latest report from WWD, Glenn Martens is confirmed to be the next creative director for Maison Margiela. Other reports quote Martens stating “I feel extremely honoured to join the amazing Maison Margiela,

The Diesel and former Y/Project designer will bring his knack for reconstructed denim to the storied French house.

The former Y/Project designer and current Diesel creative director will replace John Galliano, who exited the Maison Margiela in late 2024

Martens, currently creative director of Diesel, will replace John Galliano at Margiela, amid a creative reshuffle at both brands’ parent company OTB Group.

Belgian designer Glenn Martens was unveiled Wednesday as the successor to John Galliano as creative director of French fashion house Maison Margiela on a busy day of Haute Couture Week