After 16 years as creative director of Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs has decided to leave to concentrate on his own brand.

The 50-year old is a large part of the reason the leading design house currently generates more than 7 billion euro a year, contributing half of the operating profits for the Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy group.

His notes in the program for the Louis Vuitton spring 2014 which took place in Paris earlier today ended with the words: “For Robert Duffy and Bernard Arnault, All my love, Always.”

The message referred to Mr. Jacobs’s business partner, Mr. Duffy, and to the chairman and chief executive of LVMH, Mr. Arnaut.

The mood at today’s show was described as sombre and wistful.

Certain elements of the production had been used in previous shows directed by Jacobs such as the carousel, a hotel grand elevator and twin escalators.

The carousel and twin escalators also featured in previous shows directed by Jacobs

Describing the show Edward Enniful, fashion and style editor of W magazine, said “It’s like a funeral."

Rumours are rife as to who will succeed him and many industry insiders believe it will be Nicolas Ghesquière, formerly the designer for Balenciaga, owned by luxury group Kering.