I've always been a fan of Christophe Lemaire. The designer, who is best known for his work at the helm of Lacoste before moving to Hermes in 2010, also has a great brand of his own. The line, which he began in 1991 but relaunched back in 2006, epitomises the simplicity and timeless quality that has been doing the rounds since the midst of the recession and as a result of the 'Philo Effect'. Anyone that has followed the brand though will know that this is something that Lemaire has always done.
With that in mind, the news that he's working with thecorner.com on a capsule collection of the key wardrobe essentials for the summer season makes sense. The line, titled 'Radical Simplicity', features wardrobe stapes like the classic white shirt but with a modern twist alongside versatile simple dresses, Bermuda shorts and classic cropped trousers. At a recent talk at Browns, L'Wren Scott emphasised that collections should always be about building a wardrobe rather than simply tapping into trends and if you share her sentiment, you'll love the collection.
New Hermes designer Christophe Lemaire, who came to the label from his former post as creative director of Lacoste, says he's going to handle fashion week in a fairly simple setting when he shows his first collection in March. Rather than putting on a runway extravaganza like former Hermes designer Jean Paul Gaultier, Lemaire says an intimate approach is just fine.
The designer told WWD: "I think that it’s time to go back to a more honest vision of fashion, and that there is room for a simpler, more pared-down wardrobe that is better suited to everyday life. I have always campaigned to bring quality and, if possible, poetry to everyday life. You don’t change your wardrobe every six months. You build it up over time."
He continued to say that he'll be more like Martin Margiela, who designed for Hermes from 1998 to 2003, than Gaultier. And as for rumours of tension with his previous management at Lacoste, the designer explained: "I think I succeeded in projecting a certain vision of the brand [at Lacoste]. The problem with a brand is that if the designer has a vision and the management does not have the same vision, or does not understand that vision, then there is obviously a disconnect. So I think that is being addressed, but it was definitely an issue for me."
Last year we spoke about rumours of Jean Paul Gaultier's departure from Hermès. If recent reports are anything to go by, the split is now official. According to WWD the designer will leave after the brand's spring/summer 2011 show and the company's artistic director for womenswear, Christophe Lemaire will take his place.
Whoever said that loungewear means looking frumpy obviously did not know Lacoste designer, Christophe Lemaire. Citing his influences as Diane Keaton, Princess Lela and James Turrell, he created a collection of luxe comfortable clothing.
He definitely designed the type of clothes we want to wear on a Sunday night in, curled up on the sofa. Tops and trousers came in beautiful soft fabrics. He also included several more sophisticated pieces that still carried a relaxed feel. Lemaire did also show a more sophisticated approach to comfortable clothing. Bang on trend was a chic green jumpsuit that looked oh so fab merely because it was showcased on the back of my girl crush, Chanel Iman. Trousers were wide legged and nipped in at the waist with a large waist band teamed with a baby blue feminine loose fitted tee and a dark blue throw.
