Sad news for Jean Paul Gaultier fans: the designer has just announced that he will be closing his women's and men's ready-to-wear (RTW) collections and accessories. The designer wants to focus on couture, his lucrative perfume line and other projects instead, WWD reports. 

In a letter addressed to WWD, Gaultier blamed the "commercial constraints" and "frenetic pace of collections" of RTW for the decision to downsize.

"For some time, I have found true fulfillment in working on the haute couture and it allows me to express my creativity and my taste for research and experimentation," he wrote.

"At the same time the world of ready-to-wear has evolved considerably. Commercial constraints, as well as the frenetic pace of collections don't leave any freedom, nor the necessary time to find fresh ideas and to innovate."

The 62-year-old designer said that the newfound emphasis on couture will constitute a "new beginning" for him after more than 38 years designing men's and women's ready-to-wear collections. "I will be able to express again my creativity fully and without constraints,” he explained.

His last RTW womenswear collection will take place on 27 September during Paris Fashion Week. Tissues at the ready.

Take a trip through the Gaultier archives with our fashion film featuring Dinah Lux and her fabulous friends: