The Belgian designer will show his first Artisanal collection for the house since John Galliano’s departure
Glenn Martens will debut as creative director of Maison Margiela this July with an Artisanal collection during Paris Haute Couture Week. The fall 2025 show will mark Martens’ first official presentation for the house since succeeding John Galliano, who departed after his widely praised Spring 2024 Artisanal show.
“This marks the beginning of an inspiring new chapter for the maison, rooted in our core creative values and shaped by Margiela’s couture heritage. Under Glenn’s direction, couture will continue to ignite creativity for the brand and drive boundary pushing designs,” Maison Margiela shared in a statement.
The announcement comes after OTB Group named Martens creative director in January, while retaining his role at Diesel. Martens, a graduate of Antwerp’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts, previously designed a one-off haute couture collection for Jean Paul Gaultier in 2022, signaling his aptitude for the format.
“Glenn, who studied at Antwerp’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts like Martin [Margiela], has already shown his prowess and his vision in couture,” said OTB chairman Renzo Rosso at the time. “He will build on the house’s unique codes and brand values.”
The upcoming show joins a stacked couture week that includes Iris Van Herpen’s return, Demna’s final Balenciaga couture collection before taking over Gucci, and a hybrid celebration for Giambattista Valli.
Martens called the appointment “an honor,” adding, “I’m extremely honored to join the amazing Maison Margiela, a truly unique house that has been inspiring the world for decades.”