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CIRCA sat down with designer Sophie Theallet, who will be joining us at the CIRCA Accessories Salon for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, to find out what her style influences are: Name: Sophie Theallet
Hometown: Bagneres-de-Bigorres, France
At CIRCA, we believe that every jewel tells a story. What’s your story?
I have always wanted to be a fashion designer; I was almost predestined to be one by my history. My father's mother was a fashion illustrator and a very eccentric Bourgeoisie woman in the thirties. She would walk with a black panther in the streets of Bordeaux! On my mother's side, they were industrials from the South of France and owned a factory that produced high end wool blankets and dressing gowns.
As for me; I have always been drawing dresses. My first fashion revelation was around 14 years old when I visited my cousins in London and fell in love with the punk movement and with Vivienne Westwood and Malcom McLaren. At 18 years old, I went to the studio Bercot in Paris, graduated early after winning the "International Young Designer Award", and from there I worked for Jean Paul Gaultier for 5 years and then as Azzedine Alaia's right-hand woman for 10 years!
The CIRCA Accessories Salon is dedicated to celebrating the craftsmanship of design. What is your view on what makes fashion collectible?
The most important element in fashion or jewelry is definitely the craftsmanship. I was lucky enough to learn from two living legends, so today I continue this tradition of savoir faire. I believe in the beauty of the garment from the inside and out, and I also believe that you should be fluent with the construction and the basics before trying to break the rules.
As a designer who works only in natural materials, what's your opinion on luxury and sustainability?
I believe in beautiful fabrics treated in a modern way. For me today, luxury cannot exist without sustainability, time and knowledge.
What inspires you about jewelry?Same as fashion: the heritage, or story behind a piece, as well as the beauty, craftsmanship and purity of the stones.
What do jewels do for clothes or the woman who's wearing them?
As Marilyn Monroe said, "Diamonds are a girl's best friend!" Jewelry offers the final touch to a beautiful dress.
Images Courtesy of: www.gorunway.com by Marcus Tondo; Spring 2012 RTW, seemanagement.blogspot.com; Sophie Theallet with model. Print this post
