Jérôme L’Huillier Comes To French Festival Fashion Show

French fashion designer Jérôme L’Huillier and his muse Mette Pedersen will stylise Brisbane at the French Fashion Show in Southbank this July as part of the annual Brisbane French Festival.

Flying direct from Paris, Jérôme's eponymous fashion label will showcase his magnificent work and interpretation of the Parisian lifestyle alongside fellow designer Mette, in front of dozens of onlookers savouring sparkling French champagne.

Jérôme L’Huillier and Mette Pedersen

Born in France of Russian descent, Jérôme spent his childhood dreaming and plunging in the big blue. Thriving in the spiritual times of the '70s, Jérôme is the son of an artistic and bohemian univers. His mother was a model, and his father, a doctor, Jerome's sense of aesthetic developed with his interest in shapes and colour and his love of women.

 

A photo posted by Jérôme L'Huillier (@jeromelhuillier) on May 6, 2015 at 3:27am PDT

Working with the great Maisons de couture – Givenchy, Pierre Balmain, Junko Shimada, Lapidus – his first collection 'Vietnam 89' won the Young Designer Award given by the international Elle magazine.

Able to expose his very personal universe, Jérôme's style and colour are blind to the minimalist trends that were in vogue when he began his journey. Partisan by style, Jérôme has surrounded himself with a team of multi-cultural and modern women, including his Danish muse, Mette Pedersen. With tireless inspiration and an eye for creativity, Mette takes part in the design of every collection.

“Jérôme L’Huillier and Mette Pedersen’s internationally recognised designs display their love of colourful, joyful prints and flattering silhouettes, so it is no surprise that their clothes have been stocked in department stores around the world, including Galleries Lafayette, Selfridges and Barneys New York,” says Brisbane French Festival Fashion Show Co-ordinator Nathalie SYK.

“The designer duo have told us that they can’t stop dreaming about Australia and are looking forward to meeting the people of Brisbane at the Festival in July.”



Like a great architect facing the demanding challenge of space and time, Jérôme combines a sensuous aesthetic with a radical modernity. A lover of cinema, he finds inspiration from the screen and the actresses that adorn them, such as Ali McGraw, Jacqueline Bisset and Uma Thurman.

Jérôme talks more about what inspires him and the fashion world:

How does a particular style start to trend?
A particular style starts to trend as it becomes popular in the media (press, television) and on social networks. As soon as people start to talk about it, it highlights the trend. Bloggers are starting to use this style which will become popular: just like a music hit, everyone embraces it.

 

A photo posted by Jérôme L'Huillier (@jeromelhuillier) on Feb 6, 2015 at 6:08am PST

When you're designing new collections, what are your go-to's?
Events in our life, music, exhibitions, people on the street. In fact, the normal things in life are inspiring to us.

Do you have a specific type of women in mind for your designs? Or does it differ on the collection?
We don't have a specific type of woman in mind for our designs. Our collections are open to every woman. A special fabric or print, or a new cut to work on can trigger a new design.

When you dress a celebrity, what do you have to take into consideration?
We will take notes of what she likes and make sure that she feels comfortable in her outfit and that she shares the concept we're suggesting to her. We will also take her to a more cutting-edge/ avant-garde level in order to highlight her features, to make her even more beautiful, softly, without rushing her.

What is trending in France right now that you hope to see Down Under on your trip?
We don't really pay attention to trends. We're more focused on style.

Which Australian designers spark your attention?

We absolutely love Marc Newson designs! We look forward to discovering other Australian designers while we are in Brisbane.

How secretive is a collection while you're in the midst of creating it?

We actually don't mind talking about a collection while we're in the creative process: sharing different views and letting our customers know what they can expect.

How many times will the sketch of a design, or the creation of a collection change before its official release?
Only two to three times, as we work on cotton canvas with 3D mannequins, which enables us to see where the volumes are and to find the right balance; just like an architect will do with a building.

Do you have a few private fashion tips, or do you like to share your styles with the world?
We do share our fashion tips with the world, as we believe that fashion should not belong to an elite; fashion belongs to the street. We believe everyone should have access to fashion.

Brisbane French Festival runs 10-12 July. The Air Franch Fashion Show is on 11-12 July.