is stepping down from the own-name label she founded over 30 years ago.

'A new time is coming both for my personal life and the brand Ann Demeulemeester,' came the hand-written explanation from the designer, which was emailed out to press today with the heading 'Dear friends'.

The missive notes that the brand now has 'its own identity and legacy that is able to continue growing with out me', and explains that both the label's men’s and women’s autumn/winter 2014 collections would be shown together during the Paris menswear shows on 27 January.

Comments ELLE assistant editor and editor of ELLE Collections, Rebecca Lowthorpe, 'I can see Ann Demeulemeester's company and brand continuing in the manner of Martin Margiela; there is such a strong handwriting to Ann's work and so many reference points on which to draw that it makes sense that she is leaving it in the hands of her studio team.'