French designer Jean-Claude Jitrois‘ innovative textile and designs might make him the new Hervé Leger
Jean-Claude Jitrois developed a technique to create stretch leather by bonding the material with cotton. The flexible “body-con” textile paired with his chic taste creates a distinct brand of high fashion leather apparel.
There is a strong market for body-con fashion. Azzedine Alaïa established his name in the 90s with body-con knits, and today designer Hervé Leger continues to sell with his chic body-con nylon bandage dresses. This places Jitrois in good company.
Jitrois founded the brand in 1983 and quickly found success when his bright leather jackets and dresses were worn famously by Princess Stephanie of Monaco, Brooke Shields and other style icons of the decade. Then in 1995, he redefined his brand and formed the foundation of his sexy, body-con leather designs that are worn today by high-wealth women and celebrities like Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian.
About a year and a half ago, Jitrois met financial backers to open a flagship store on Madison Avenue in New York. This is a big change from hosting trunk shows at private apartments in the city before. The store opened this spring in April 2015. The 700-square-foot Madison Avenue boutique designed by Christophe Pillet, a French designer features fully mirrored walls, lots of LED lights and columns of floor to ceiling acrylic rods. The goal, Jitrois said, is for his store to feel like a Parisienne boudoir.
When asked how he was feeling about the new venture Jitrois said, “Exciter avec prudance.”
“We are excited but cautious.”
cover photo: Lady Gaga
nichelle cole 