Photo Courtesy of Courregès
The haute couture universe is brimming with anticipation as Nicolas Di Felice steps in to lead the presentation of Jean Paul Gaultier's latest collection. Di Felice, the creative director of Courrèges, has been chosen to oversee the upcoming haute couture runway show for the renowned fashion house. In a recent interview with WWD, the designer expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, eagerly looking forward to delving into the brand's iconic archives.
Following his retirement from the catwalk in January 2020, Jean Paul Gaultier conceived the innovative idea of inviting different designers to helm the haute couture collections for his eponymous brand. Previous collaborators have included Chitose Abe, Glenn Martens, Olivier Rousteing, Haider Ackerman, Julien Dossena, and Simone Rocha. Now, it's Nicolas Di Felice's turn to reinterpret the extensive legacy of the renowned French designer.
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"Growing up in a small village where fashion magazines were scarce, Gaultier was always a household name," shared Nicolas with WWD.
Born in Belgium, the designer's fascination with fashion began in childhood, after watching a musical program and becoming enchanted by the band's costumes. Later, he pursued his passion, graduating from La Cambre College in Brussels.
Nicolas's journey in the fashion industry began in 2008 when he was hired by Nicolas Ghesquière at Balenciaga. He subsequently worked at Dior under Raf Simons before reuniting with Ghesquière at Louis Vuitton. It was at Louis Vuitton where Di Felice honed his skills, eventually rising to the position of senior womenswear designer.
In 2020, Di Felice assumed the role of creative director, receiving an invitation from Courrèges to lead the brand. Tasked with revitalizing the iconic label known for its futuristic aesthetic in the 1960s, Nicolas Di Felice wasted no time in updating the brand's iconic codes.
"Nicolas has reimagined Courrèges' style, bringing new influences to the table. From the beginning of his career, he has always been bold and creative," praised Gaultier.
Nicolas Di Felice's unique collection for the brand of the iconic French designer will debut during the haute couture season, scheduled for June 24th to 27th in Paris.
This collaboration promises to blend Gaultier's iconic legacy with Di Felice's innovative vision, setting the stage for an unforgettable haute couture experience. Stay tuned as Nicolas Di Felice continues to make his mark on the world of high fashion.
