Highsnobiety
Double Tap to Zoom

Glenn Martens' 11-year reign at Y/Project is over.

On Friday morning, the French label confirmed that Martens will step down from his role as creative director. "Y/Project thanks Glenn for his unique contributions to the label and wishes him the best for the future," the brand said in a statement.

Martens has yet to address the development on social media.

The news comes during a rough patch for the brand, founded by Gilles Elalouf and Yohan Serfaty in 2010. In February, Y/Project canceled its Fall/Winter 2024 runway show, citing "uncertain times." (The brand's upcoming Spring/Summer 2025 show has also been canceled, according to WWD.)

In early June, Elalouf — who appointed Martens as creative director in 2013 — died at 58.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.

Still, Martens' departure comes as a surprise — and adds another consideration to fashion's superabundance of creative director comings and goings.

Currently, Givenchy and Chanel are sans creative director. And the rumor mill is churning with speculation about the (alleged) impending departure of Maria Grazia Chiuri from Dior, Hedi Slimane from CELINE, and John Galliano from Maison Margiela.

Martens (a former Highsnobiety FRONTPAGE star) still has his plate full, despite his exit from Y/Project. The Belgian designer remains creative director at Diesel, a role he took on in 2020.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.

If Martens were to move to another big house, Margiela would make the most sense out of those with creative director roles rumored to be in flux. The house is owned by Renzo Rosso's OTB Group — the same company that owns Diesel.

But until Martens addresses the news himself (at the time of publishing, his Instagram bio still describes him as the creative director of Y/Project), we won't get any closer to a definitive answer.

Watch this space for updates.

We Recommend
  • Fear & Loafing: Our Favorite Loafers
    • Style
  • After 10 Years of Glenn Martens, the Y/Project Story Is Still Unfolding
    • Culture
  • Doctor's Orders: Sandals to Slide Back Into the 90s With
    • Style
    • sponsored
  • Glenn Martens: Work Hard, Play Hard
    • Culture
  • We Are but Cattle to the Fashion Cowboy's Lasso
    • Style
What To Read Next
  • Simone Rocha Made Crocs BBQ Sandals Even More Hardcore
    • Style
  • JW Anderson SS25 Mastered Less Is More
    • Style
  • Nike's Beefed-Up Flyknit Sneakers Just Got Better (& Earthy)
    • Sneakers
  • 50 Years Later, Timberland's Most "ICONIC" Boot Has Nothing to Hide
    • Style
  • Hello Kitty Has the Cutest adidas Gazelles Ever, Of Course
    • Sneakers
  • Nensi Dojaka & Calvin Klein's Chic Lingerie Is Tailored to Perfection
    • Style