Isabel Marant, bohemian elegance.
Simple pieces with casual lines, sharp cuts, luxury materials, discreet motifs and a touch of whimsical detailing... All this characterises the fresh and stylish collections designed by Isabel Marant. From clothing to accessories, leather goods, shoes and jewellery, the designer showcases refined elegance enhanced with ethnic touches, making her one of the designers who is currently putting the fashion world into overdrive.
The birth of the new Parisienne.
With a passion for fashion since she was a child, Isabel Marant started designing while still a teenager and was only 22 years old when she created Twen, a line combining knitwear and jersey. Four years later, in 1994, the brand Isabel Marant came into being, followed by the opening in 1998 of her first boutique on Rue de Charonne in Paris. Rather than conforming to traditional feminine codes, the young designer drew her inspiration from the military, the world of travel and rock'n'roll. The resulting collections were composed of pieces that were easy to wear and slightly androgynous - pieces that the designer herself would have liked to add to her wardrobe. Praised by fashionistas, Isabel Marant set out the basis of the new Parisienne by marrying simplicity with elegance. Her signature: asymmetrical pieces with side openings, comfortable outsized cuts and hints of a folk vibe.
Besides ready-to-wear, the label offers bags, shoes, accessories and jewellery. To bring a touch of character to an outfit, Isabel Marant bags are embellished with rivets, studs, chainlets and even fringes. As for the jewellery, it's a marriage of refinement and an exquisitely gothic spirit, whilst her shoes turn to Westerns or sportswear for their inspiration.
Taking over the world.
Today, Isabel Marant has around twenty boutiques around the world. Launched in 1999, the Étoile line has found a choice position for itself in the world of fashion, worn by actresses like Chloë Sevigny and Kirsten Dunst, but also admired by ladies of influence like Garance Doré and Caroline de Maigret. If Isabel Marant is without question a luxury brand, it makes no secret of its desire to make its style accessible to all and has no hesitation in partnering up with brands like La Redoute and H&M to launch capsule collections. Lou Doillon, muse of the collaboration with the Swedish giant, embodies the Isabel Marant spirit to perfection: free, natural and slightly wild, with a touch of folk borrowed from the world of music.
Elegance à la française was revolutionised by Isabel Marant, who proved that a look may be casual but it can also be sophisticated. We have her to thank in particular for oversized knitwear, stylish trainers like the Bart model and Far West-inspired shirts and jackets. For its latest collections, the label has been exploring ethnic influences, with blouses and skirts with Mexican overtones. Amongst the company's statement pieces, we can single out: