Jean Jacques Picart Retires

Jean Jacques Picart Retires

Jean Jacques Picart retires this year, withdrawing from his well-established position as consultant to designers and design houses. Known for his candor, Picart is an unrivaled and respected opinion in fashion, having directly influenced the careers of talents such as Hedi Slimane, Ricardo Tisci, Christian Lacroix, and more. Beginning as a publicist in Paris, his career flourished due to a rigorous work ethic, a quick wit and a rabid intelligence that was recognized by the fashion industry. Through the years he has helped to guide houses away from being forgotten in the whirlwind that is the fashion industry, at first handling the press for several houses, before opening his own luxury and fashion consultancy.

Picart has stated that retiring is a choice, something he has put consideration into and conscientiously decided on. As he told Vogue earlier this week, “I’m too proud to be tacky, like the actor who does the one film too many. So I’m closing the door quietly, not slamming it. In fashion, it’s not the clothing I love most, it’s the people: the journalists, designers, models, stylists, and buyers. Even if the people are very different, they belong to the same family. So I am sad to leave the family for now. But I doubt it will be forever.”

So many iconic and talented individuals have chosen the past few months to step down from a key role, or in this case retire from their primary role in the industry. Though Picart’s retirement is not based on burnout but rather a well-timed departure, it is a departure nonetheless. As they say, when it rains it pours – but one has to wonder what exactly is in that proverbial water raining down on the industry at this point in time, and when the downpour will offer a respite.

Jean Jacques Picart Retires