Glenn Martens, the celebrated creative director of Y/Project, has announced his departure from the fashion house after a remarkable 11-year tenure. In a statement released today, Y/Project expressed gratitude for Martens’s unique contributions and wished him well in his future endeavors. The news follows the tragic passing of the brand’s founder and CEO, Gilles Elalouf, three months ago. Elalouf, who established Y/Project in 2010, was a driving force behind the brand’s success. The label’s last scheduled show in Paris, originally planned for February, was canceled at the last minute to allow for internal investments. Martens, in his statement, thanked Y/Project and the late Gilles Elalouf for the support and freedom he received to express his vision, acknowledging the creative foundation Elalouf had built. Elalouf initially founded Y/Project with Yohan Serfaty at the helm. Following Serfaty’s passing from cancer three years later, Martens was appointed to succeed him. After initially channeling his predecessor’s work for several seasons, the Bruges-born designer began to unleash his own artistic instincts with electrifying results. Martens’s signature approach at Y/Project involved a relentless pursuit of experimental asymmetry, utilizing bold abstraction to challenge both gender norms and traditional notions of dress. His highly anticipated Y/Project shows in Paris attracted widespread acclaim throughout the industry. This recognition led to Italian entrepreneur Renzo Rosso appointing Martens as creative director of Diesel in October 2020. Martens is slated to present his next collection for the denim giant on Saturday, September 21st, during Milan Fashion Week. Martens’s departure from Y/Project marks the end of an era for the brand. His innovative and disruptive vision helped to solidify the label’s position as a leading force in contemporary fashion. While his future endeavors at Diesel are sure to be exciting, his impact on Y/Project will undoubtedly be felt for years to come.
Glenn Martens Exits Y/Project After 11 Years as Creative Director
