On February 6, Patou, a maison under the LVMH Group, announced the termination of its partnership with Artistic Director Guillaume Henry. The collaboration, which had continued for approximately seven years since 2019, was by mutual agreement, with Henry set to dedicate himself to other projects going forward.
Henry joined the maison in 2018 to lead the revival of Patou, whose fashion activities had been dormant for approximately 30 years. Against the backdrop of LVMH acquiring majority control of the brand that same year, Patou began its full-scale relaunch. He is known for reinterpreting the maison’s heritage while presenting a contemporary and light-hearted vision of femininity, establishing a new expression of the “Patou Woman.”
The Fall/Winter 2026-2027 collection, presented at the Palais de Tokyo during Paris Fashion Week in January 2026, marked Henry’s final collection for Patou. The collection was characterized by its use of music as an organizing principle, unfolding like a “musical score” where each look possessed its own distinct character while harmonizing as a whole. It presented an urban and contemporary vision of Patou through a fluid and continuous wardrobe that made no distinction between day and evening.
The musical theme was visually embodied through collage-like expressions using smock dresses, color blocking that emphasized textural qualities of materials, and styling that paired guipure dresses combining lace and cotton with velvet sneakers or leather boots.
Additionally, traditional patterns such as leopard and check were interwoven with medieval motifs, while embroidery, jewelry modeled after musical instruments, bell details, and reinterpreted berets added a sense of festivity and poetry to the collection.
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.
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