Glenn Martens has been named creative director of OTB Group-owned label Maison Margiela, the company announced Wednesday. His appointment is effective immediately.
“I feel extremely honored to join the amazing Maison Margiela, a truly unique house that has been inspiring the world for decades,” Martens said in a press release.
He replaces designer John Galliano, who announced his departure from Maison Margiela in December after 10 years. Martens is also the creative director of OTB-owned denim label Diesel, a role he took on in 2020.
“I have worked with Glenn for years, I have witnessed his talent, and I know what he is capable of,” Renzo Rosso, chairman of OTB Group, said in the release. “After Martin, who gave life to the Maison and its unique Artisanal line, and John who made it the most cutting-edge couture house in the world, I am proud to have a third couturier at its helm. Glenn, who studied at Antwerp’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts like Martin, has already shown his prowess and his vision in couture.”
Martens has previously held multiple creative director roles simultaneously.
In addition to Diesel, he spent 11 years as creative director of Y/Project, beginning with the brand in 2010 and taking on the top design role in 2013. Martens left last year ahead of that label’s closure earlier this month.
“Maison Margiela is at a key moment of its history and on well-defined and solid tracks,” Stefano Rosso, chairman of Maison Margiela, said in the release. “The appointment of Glenn will further build upon the heritage of the house which we are beyond proud to have in our Group.”
The label has not announced a date for Martens’ first collection.
In its last annual report, which covered fiscal 2023, OTB posted a 9.1% year-over-year net sales increase to 1.8 billion euros, or about $1.9 billion.
