Jean-Paul Gaultier, the enfant terrible of French fashion, is stepping down as designer of women’s ready-to-wear for Hermès.

He will be replaced by Christophe Lemaire, who has revitalised Lacoste since and has also worked under Christian Lacroix and Thierry Mugler.

The spring-summer 2011 collection, to be presented in October, will be the last designed by Gaultier for Hermès.

Gaultier has had a relationship with Hermes since 1999, when the luxury-goods maker bought a 35 percent stake in his fashion house for $23 million.

The company raised that stake to 45 percent and plans to remain its main shareholder, Hermes said.