French designer Alexandre Vauthier has been officially removed from his role as artistic director of his eponymous fashion label. Now under the ownership of U.S. retailer Revolve, the brand announced that Vauthier was dismissed by L.A. Rive Droite, the acquisition vehicle primarily owned by Revolve Group Inc. Though Vauthier retains a minority stake in the company, he no longer holds any operational or creative position. In response, the designer has filed a complaint with French labor courts challenging his termination.

The Alexandre Vauthier brand, known for its couture and ready-to-wear collections, faced financial difficulties in late 2023 due to delayed payments from retailers, ongoing economic and political instability, and lingering effects of the pandemic. This led the label to file for court protection in February 2024, eventually entering receivership and seeking new ownership. Revolve acquired the brand in June for $500,000, primarily covering legal expenses, with Vauthier agreeing to transfer all intellectual property in exchange for a 20% stake and voting rights in the new company.

Following the transition, the brand skipped both the spring and fall couture seasons in 2024 but made an off-schedule return at Paris Couture Week in January. It has since rebranded as “Vauthier Paris” and launched a new e-commerce platform featuring the Spring 2025 ready-to-wear collection, with only subtle nods to the founder’s legacy. Revolve has not commented on the situation, and the brand has yet to issue a formal statement.