The big news in the fashion world was the exit of Jean Paul Gaultier from Hermès after seven years. Gaultier’s exit wasn’t a shock – and had been rumored for months – but the selection of his successor did surprise many.

Replacing Gaultier will be Christophe Lemaire, who has been designing for Lacoste since 2000. He has worked for a variety of French design houses, including Yves Saint Laurent, Jean Patou and Christian Lacroix, before joining Lacoste in 2001. He brought new blood into the company, having colored classically white sporty tennis skirts, collegiate sweaters, piqued polos, and brought Lacoste back onto fashion scene.

What to expect from Lemaire? On his website, he describes his style as “sophisticated casual and generous volumes.” For Hermès, they don’t get Gaultier’s sometimes difficult to implement designs.

Lemaire’s first show will be for fall 2011. Expect to see his collection next March.