On February 6, Patou, the maison under the LVMH Group, announced that it has ended its partnership with artistic director Guillaume Henry. The collaboration, which began in 2019 and spanned nearly seven years, concluded by mutual agreement, with Henry set to focus on other projects going forward.
Guillaume Henry joined Patou in 2018 to lead the revival of the historic house, which had been dormant in fashion for nearly three decades. Following LVMH’s acquisition of a majority stake in the brand that same year, Patou embarked on a full-scale relaunch. Reinterpreting the maison’s heritage through a contemporary lens, Henry articulated a light, modern vision of femininity, shaping a new expression of the “Patou woman.”
Henry’s final collection for Patou was the Fall/Winter 2026–2027 collection, presented in January 2026 during Paris Fashion Week at the Palais de Tokyo. Built around music as a structural concept, the collection unfolded like a musical score, with each look expressing its own character while contributing to an overall harmony. The fluid and continuous wardrobe, free from strict distinctions between day and evening, proposed an urban and contemporary vision of Patou.
Inspired by pigments and stained glass, the color palette juxtaposed luminous, richly saturated hues with darker tones, creating depth and contrast. Smock dresses evoked collage-like compositions, while unexpected yet balanced color-blocking emphasized material textures. Lace and cotton were combined in guipure dresses, styled with velvet sneakers and leather boots, visually embodying the collection’s musical theme.
Traditional leopard and check patterns were interwoven with medieval influences, while embroidery, instrument-shaped jewelry, jingling bell details, and reimagined berets added a sense of celebration and poetic rhythm. With this presentation, Henry’s creative chapter at Patou came to a close.
Commenting on the announcement, Sidney Toledano, who has long been part of LVMH’s executive leadership, said: “I would like to thank Guillaume for the energy he has brought and wish him every success in his future projects.”
Reflecting on Henry’s contribution alongside the maison’s teams, he added: “Together with the maison’s teams, Guillaume has been instrumental in the revival of Patou and, over these seven years, has created ambitious collections that have won over critics and clients at every presentation.”
Guillaume Henry also expressed his gratitude to LVMH and the house, stating: “I would like to thank the LVMH Group, and in particular Sidney Toledano, for the trust placed in me over these years. I was very happy and proud to be part of the revival of Patou, and I will be forever grateful to all the teams who took part in this adventure and devoted themselves wholeheartedly.”
During Henry’s tenure, Patou steadily expanded its presence as a brand. By repositioning its runway shows to the eve of Haute Couture Week, the house established a clear place within the fashion calendar and increased its media visibility. The period was also marked by collaborations that broadened the brand’s cultural reach, including projects with Onitsuka Tiger, Ladurée, and the Finnish creative universe of Moomin.
On the commercial front, Patou grew to approximately 100 points of sale worldwide, gaining early traction in Asian markets such as South Korea and Japan. In Paris, the brand transitioned from experimentation to permanence, opening a dedicated space at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann in 2023 following the success of its “Patou Market” pop-up.
Patou has stated that it is currently exploring a “new format” for its next phase of growth. Details regarding the future creative structure or presentation model have not yet been disclosed.
Copyright © 2026 Oui Speak Fashion. All rights reserved.