6 Minutes Revisted @ Nathalie Tribouillard-Chassaing

 Since LEONARD tapped the 26 years old young designer as the fashion house Creative Director, Maxime Simoëns created the one of the kind LEONARD's collection for the FW2012/13 <HEARTBREAK HOTEL> collection and brought the brand to a new modern twist with a hint of Gothic masculine femininity new look from the classic LEONARD's contemporary heritage. Nathalie Tribouillard-Chassaing, the CEO and present lead for LEONARD who was just being appointed as the knight of the Legion of Honour in January 2012 talks to mylifestylenews for the second time on her recent trip to Hong Kong......

             

When Maxime Simoëns arrived at Leonard's headquarters on Avenue Pierre I^er de Serbie in Paris, he wondered how to make his mark while respecting the values of the brand.

 

His ambition was to renew the fashion house's strong identity, deeply rooted in history, with an ultra contemporary pop-rock aesthetic. Rather than breaking with the past, he sought to bring these seeming opposites together by going beyond all of the expected limits in order to turn restrictions into advantages and finding common ground rather than opposing.

 

While the silhouettes exude Simoëns' personality, Leonard's main features are reflected throughout the collection, giving a distinct rhythm to the fashion show.The designs are based on Leonard's signature look: for instance, black jersey dresses with very long sleeves are stamped with paisley patterns, a symbol of the house alongside the orchid.

 

A plant made of crystals embroidered on muslin illuminates the black of a leather jacket embossed with cherry blossoms, while denim pieces coated in Japanese lacquer remind us of the fashion house's heritage.

After more than 50 years of contemporary classic, Leonard trying to make a change for this collection but yet still keeping the brand's DNA and bring it forward to the the future. We tend to incorporate some Asian and Oriental arts into the prints and the patterns on the hand printed fabrics. 

We would like to deliver the message to the women who wear Leonard for being a confident lady who also enjoy life and at the same time to have fun playing with her garments.

 

 

Leonard's garment does look quite outstanding on the red carpet and that is one of the areas that we are good at. Wearing Leonard on the red carpet are usually a very strong woman with great personality in order for her to bring out the best from the dress.It is also quite identical when you see someone wearing it.

 

 I greatly admire Maxime’s talent. His youth and creative impulse will be major asset for the development of this family-owned company that has enjoyed a global presence for the over fifty years

  

 

 

 

Maxime Simoëns is a graduate of the “Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne”, and has worked with DIOR and Nicolas GHESQUIERE for BALENCIAGA.

 

In 2009, he is selected to participate in the “Festival International de la Mode”in Hyeres and in January 2011. He presents his line for the first time, hence joining officially the Paris Couture schedules.
 

His creations are worn by young actresses as talented as Melanie Laurent, Rachel McAdams and Astrid BERES-FIRSBEY who could notably be seen at the last International Film Festival in Cannes and Singer BEYONCE  wore a dress by Maxime SIMOENS On the cover of her last album <4>.

 

  

 

 

When I travel, I do packed more or less 10 pieces of Leonard's garment for different events and purposes. They are light and easy to maintain and most important thing is it doesnt really taken up so much of space from my luggage.

 

I always like to have a horse for a pleasure of company and riding purposes. It would be ideal when that comes true.

  

mylifestylenews @ Nathalie Tribouillard-Chassaing