🎙️ Edouard Vermeulen FW20 Digital Haute Couture
In this Instagram Live I speak with Edouard Vermeulen, the designer behind Natan Couture about the future of couture, how to make evergreen clothing, what it’s like to dress queens and princesses and how nature plays a big role in his creative process.
Designer Edouard Vermeulen of Natan Couture Talks About Timeless Fashion
In this Instagram Live I speak with Edouard Vermeulen, the designer behind Natan Couture about the future of couture, how to make evergreen clothing, what it’s like to dress queens and princesses and how nature plays a big role in his creative process.
Image from Paris Match Belgique.
🎙️ Stephane Rolland FW20 Digital Haute Couture
Famed haute couture designer @stephanerolland_paris discussed haute couture in the digital age, how he is adapting to the new normal while still maintaining the best aspects of couture’s heritage in his oeuvre.
Couture Conversation with Stephane Rolland
Famed haute couture designer @stephanerolland_paris discussed haute couture in the digital age, how he is adapting to the new normal while still maintaining the best aspects of couture’s heritage in his oeuvre.
Image from Official Bespoke.
🎙️ Rabih Kayrouz FW20 Digital Haute Couture
For the digital haute couture @parisfashionweek put on by the @fhcm designer @rabih_kayrouz dives deep into the meaning behind the fashion film he created instead of a runway show to express the essence of his house.
Working from Beirut, Lebanon Rabih used video conferencing, creative thinking and a dedicated team in both Lebanon and Paris to bring to life a @maisonrabihkayrouz dress born out of ingenuity and heart. ❤️
Rabih Kayrouz Explains his FW20 Digital Haute Couture Film
For the digital haute couture @parisfashionweek put on by the @fhcm designer @rabih_kayrouz dives deep into the meaning behind the fashion film he created instead of a runway show to express the essence of his house.
Working from Beirut, Lebanon Rabih used video conferencing, creative thinking and a dedicated team in both Lebanon and Paris to bring to life a @maisonrabihkayrouz dress born out of ingenuity and heart. ❤️
Image from Official Bespoke.
🎙️ Alexis Mabille FW20 Digital Haute Couture
For the digital haute couture @parisfashionweek put on by the @fhcm designer @alexismabille got creative. He used fabrics that he had in his couture atelier to construct a collection that beautifully underlined the feminine yet empowered codes of the house. In the 6 minute video Alexis took the time to show the details of each look so that the audience watching his film, titled Attitude, would better understand the incredible craftsmanship that went into each and every look.
Alexis Mabille Explains his FW20 Digital Haute Couture Film
For the digital haute couture @parisfashionweek put on by the @fhcm designer @alexismabille got creative. He used fabrics that he had in his couture atelier to construct a collection that beautifully underlined the feminine yet empowered codes of the house. In the 6 minute video Alexis took the time to show the details of each look so that the audience watching his film, titled Attitude, would better understand the incredible craftsmanship that went into each and every look.
Image from GettyImages.
🎙️ Yuima Nakazato FW20 Digital Haute Couture
For this week’s digital haute couture @parisfashionweek put on by the @fhcm designer @yuimanakazato came up with a unique and modern take on the idea of couture.
Here he reflects on what it was like to work hand in hand - or “Face to Face”, which is the title of his couture film, with 25 clients from around the world who got to have a one of a kind couture piece designed by Yuima. Each one of them crafted out of a classic white t-shirt that the clients had sent him in the mail.
The results are all unique sartorial interpretations that blend the stories of the clients with the vision of designer.
Yuima Nakazato Explains his Interactive FW20 Digital Haute Couture Project
For this week’s digital haute couture @parisfashionweek put on by the @fhcm designer @yuimanakazato came up with a unique and modern take on the idea of couture.
Here he reflects on what it was like to work hand in hand - or “Face to Face”, which is the title of his couture film, with 25 clients from around the world who got to have a one of a kind couture piece designed by Yuima. Each one of them crafted out of a classic white t-shirt that the clients had sent him in the mail.
The results are all unique sartorial interpretations that blend the stories of the clients with the vision of designer.
Image from ModelLabFr.
🎙️ Rahul Mishra FW20 Digital Haute Couture
For this week’s digital haute couture @parisfashionweek put on by the @fhcm designer @rahulmishra_7 used the reaction of his artisans to his sketches to guide which direction his collection would go. Also they way in which nature bounced back and flourished, while the world was indoors during the confinement, gave Rahul hope and sparked his creative spirit.
Rahul Mishra Talks About his Butterfly People FW20 Digital Haute Couture Paris
For this week’s digital haute couture @parisfashionweek put on by the @fhcm designer @rahulmishra_7 used the reaction of his artisans to his sketches to guide which direction his collection would go. Also they way in which nature bounced back and flourished, while the world was indoors during the confinement, gave Rahul hope and sparked his creative spirit.
NB: Rahul just launched his own e-commerce website. And after you listen to this interview I would be surprised if you don’t feel moved to go check it out and make a purchase to support the work of this talented designer with a very big heart.
Image from The Fashion Network.
🎙️ Ronald Van Der Kemp FW20 Digital Haute Couture
For this week’s digital haute couture @parisfashionweek put on by the @fhcm designer Ronald van der Kemp showed a tour de force presentation of 8 back to back mini films that represent what haute couture means to him.
A sustainable couture designer, Ronald’s 28 look collection was filled with only upcycled creations that were as eccentrically individualistic as they were captivating.
Ronald van der Kemp talks about his Digital Haute Couture films
For this week’s digital haute couture @parisfashionweek put on by the @fhcm designer Ronald van der Kemp showed a tour de force presentation of 8 back to back mini films that represent what haute couture means to him.
A sustainable couture designer, Ronald’s 28 look collection was filled with only upcycled creations that were as eccentrically individualistic as they were captivating.
Image from The Business of Fashion.
🎙️ Imane Ayissi FW20 Digital Haute Couture
For this week’s digital haute couture @parisfashionweek put on by the @fhcm the designer @imane_ayissi presented a collection called AMAL -Si, which means “the great misfortune that befalls the earth”. He focused his presentation on pieces he could craft from fabric offshoots he had from previous collections. The result is clothes - often constructed in a patchwork effect - that hint at a world parched from lack or water, the last falling petals of a fading flower or a gorgeous body concealing dress that moves like a endangered sea creature hunted for its beauty. The collection was poignant and transmitted its message in a meaningful manner.
Imane Ayissi talks about creating his Haute Couture while in confinement
For this week’s digital haute couture @parisfashionweek put on by the @fhcm the designer @imane_ayissi presented a collection called AMAL -Si, which means “the great misfortune that befalls the earth”.
He focused his presentation on pieces he could craft from fabric offshoots he had from previous collections. The result is clothes - often constructed in a patchwork effect - that hint at a world parched from lack or water, the last falling petals of a fading flower or a gorgeous body concealing dress that moves like a endangered sea creature hunted for its beauty.
The collection was poignant and transmitted its message in a meaningful manner.
🎙️ Julie De Libran FW20 Digital Haute Couture
For the digital haute couture @parisfashionweek put on by the @fhcm designer @juliedelibran presented a film that was a visual layering of all the many steps and all the creative people it takes to bring a couture collection to life. As Julie’s voice rings out the overlapping images cascade over each other to create a rich tapestry of moving images, still life photos and evocative music. The result is a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of couture.
Julie De Libran explains her FW20 Digital Haute Couture Film
For the digital haute couture @parisfashionweek put on by the @fhcm designer @juliedelibran presented a film that was a visual layering of all the many steps and all the creative people it takes to bring a couture collection to life. As Julie’s voice rings out the overlapping images cascade over each other to create a rich tapestry of moving images, still life photos and evocative music. The result is a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of couture.
🎙️ Alexandre Mattiussi
There are some fashion insiders who call designer Alexandre Mattiussi “a one in a generation” fashion designer. And I would have to agree with that assessment. He is a bit of a fashion unicorn in that, not only is he a down to earth, friendly and gregarious guy who happens to be a very talented fashion designer, he also has a real head for - and a love of - both the business of fashion and the theatricality of it.
There are some fashion insiders who call designer Alexandre Mattiussi “a one in a generation” fashion designer. And I would have to agree with that assessment. He is a bit of a fashion unicorn in that, not only is he a down to earth, friendly and gregarious guy who happens to be a very talented fashion designer, he also has a real head for - and a love of - both the business of fashion and the theatricality of it.
Alexandre Mattiussi
Born in 1980 in the Normandy countryside, Alexandre studied at the Duperré fashion design school in Paris and decided to specialize in menswear design as he astutely saw that the market was much less saturated than the womenswear market at that time.
Early on, back in 2002, he tried his hand at starting his own business, selling t-shirts he had designed. But decided to press pause on that adventure to really learn his trade inside the walls of established menswear brands before stepping out on his own. To this end, he worked at Dior’s “30 Montaigne” menswear line and then joined Givenchy where for five years he built up real-world experience as he led the menswear design team before the arrival of Riccardo Tisci at the house, and then he had a stint designing for Marc Jacobs Men.
It was while at Marc Jacobs, as he was working on some ultra-luxury menswear items, that he had his sartorial epiphany. The beautiful things he was creating, well he would never be able to afford to buy them and he wanted to create clothing that he would see being worn on the street. Clothing that would make people happy as they went about living their lives.
And so, in 2011 his brand - AMI was born. The name, which means friend in French but is also the composition of his initials and the last letter of his last name perfectly encapsulates both the designer and his designs. He seems to be friends with everyone and everyone wants to be friends with him. And his clothing does act like friends for those who wear them. This is a brand filled with staple wardrobe pieces, the perfectly cut pair of trousers, the great chunky sweater, the evergreen outerwear. Menswear that was so well done that women wound up flocking to his work, and wearing his designs, as well.
Today Ami has over 300 stocklists across the globe and online and has freestanding stores in Paris, Tokyo, London, and China. And last year he finally launched a “menswear for women” line in response to the high demand for his designs by women around the world.
I caught up with Alexandre in his Paris headquarters after he and I had both just returned from a whirlwind tour of Asia. I was attending Shanghai Fashion Week and Tokyo Fashion Week and he also happened to be there as well. Showing his first collection outside of Paris in Shanghai at the same time as its fashion week and then held an event in Japan during its fashion week. All of it was a way to thank his Asian customers and friends who have become a very big part of his business.
What did I tell you, Alexandre, both a savvy businessman, but an even better friend.
Image of Alexandre Mattiussi from DrapersOnline.
💎 Too Cool For The Summer
My Parisienne born daughters want me to snap up this vintage “Bob” (AKA Bucket Hat) at the Brocante in town this week. The bucket hat is having a big fashion comeback this summer.
My Parisienne born daughters want me to snap up this vintage “Bob” (AKA Bucket Hat) at the Brocante in town this week.
The bucket hat is having a big fashion comeback this summer. And if you can get your hands on one that is vintage, or even better, features the logo of a well know or hipster brand, well that just makes them that much cooler.
The hat was first crafted at around the turn of the 19th and original was made from wool felt or tweed cloth (today a thick cotton is the norm). And thanks to the lanolin in the raw wool the hats- back in the day - were naturally waterproof, which made them very popular with fishermen.
They first became a fashion accessory in the 1960 and are having a Renaissance right now. I also happen to think they look as good on a woman in her 40s as it does one in her 20s. All you need to really make it work is to pair it with a big smile!
Click here to see the lovely selection of bucket hats Net-a-Porter has for sale!
🎙️ Ines de la Fressange
You know that classic line…about looking up a word in the dictionary and you would find a photo of a particular person there, as an embodiment of said word? Well, in the case of Ines de la Fressange if you looked up the words Parisian chic in the dictionary you might actually find a photo of her there.
You know that classic line…about looking up a word in the dictionary and you would find a photo of a particular person there, as an embodiment of said word? Well, in the case of Ines de la Fressange if you looked up the words Parisian chic in the dictionary you might actually find a photo of her there.
Ines de la Fressange
She is so linked to this idea that she even wrote a worldwide best selling book on the subject, which of course was called Parisian Chic. It has already produced a few equally clever and easy to read offspring.
But calling Ines an author is to limit her. She is so very many things. A global brand ambassador for the French luxury accessories company Roger Vivier. She has a store in Paris that bears her name that is filled with all of her favorite things, which she has hunted out on her travels around the world. But also pieces that are oh so French that they make for some great keepsakes and gifts for tourists looking to capture the je ne sais quoi French Style for themselves. She also is behind highly successful clothing collaborations with Uniqlo and Aigle. And she even has a capsule line of Citroen DS3 cars named after her that featured a few of her favorite things and colors.
Ines, who is a slender 5 foot 11 and 60 years old, is also a world class model. A muse for many years of Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel as well as Jean Paul Gaultier, she just recently walked in both their shows. She is also the mother to two amazing girls, runs her own eponymous company and has a fantastic blog called Lalettredines where she writes about all of her latest discovers that span the whole chic lifestyle spectrum.
Basically Ines is one of those women you end up having a girl crush on…while you endlessly wonder…how does she do it all. In our chat she lets me in on a few of her tricks to having it all..and doing it in style.