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.

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.

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.

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

The Belgian designer, who is also creative director at Diesel, succeeds John Galliano, who stepped down in December after 10 years.

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