“SPONTANEOUS, CRAFTED AND STRUCTURAL” - THAT’S HOW THE FRENCH FASHION DESIGNER CHARLES DE VILMORIN DESCRIBES THE NEW COLLECTION HE JUST PRESENTED DURING THE HAUTE COUTURE WEEK AT MAISON BACCARAT IN PARIS. ONCE AGAIN, DE VILMORIN’S HANDMADE PIECES REFLECT THE SIGNATURE WORK CENTRED AROUND THE SHAPES AND COLOURS WHICH EMBODY THE UNIVERSE HE BUILDS WITH HIS FASHION.
EARLIER THIS WEEK, WE HAD THE PLEASURE TO MEET WITH CHARLES AND ASK HIM A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LATEST COLLECTION.
Where do the figures that appear on many pieces come from?
I have always drawn a lot and I wanted to reintegrate this aspect into my work. More specifically, the faces of the figures in the collection are references to the work of the Belgian painter James Ensor that I like a lot.
How did you design these pieces and what do they symbolise?
I see this collection as a group of aliens coming to repopulate the Earth after the end of this chaotic world. It’s a pretty instinctive collection made in an artisanal way. Many of the pieces are handmade and hand-painted - for me, that's what couture is all about.
How do you see your work evolving?
I don't ask myself this question much, I just do it as sincerely as I can and so much the better if it continues to evolve.
Interview and photography by Hanna Pallot
