In 1991, Christophe Lemaire founded his namesake fashion label in Paris, France, which was soon lauded for its timeless everyday wear and ardent fanbase. Thinking of all skin tones, Lemaire developed a signature dialed-down color palette and understated aesthetic for his practical garments made of innovative materials. These silhouettes are manifested in the brand’s staples—namely, the dry silk shirts and the asymmetrical Twisted Dress with button detailing. When Sarah-Linh Tran joined at the helm in 2010 as co-creative director, Lemaire entered a renaissance. Today, the Lemaire brand has a wider reach than ever, transcending genre, gender, and age with a leather goods line, jewelry offerings, and collaboration with Japanese lifewear brand Uniqlo.
Look Inside...
Previous image
Next image
INTRO
EDITOR’S LETTER
PERSONAL ARCHIVES
Hints of Christophe Lemaire and Sarah- Linh Tran’s creativity found in their work spaces
IN MARAIS
The Lemaire headquarters blends into the Marais, a historic district in Paris
SMALL TALK
People at Lemaire affirm their personal beliefs about clothing and the brand’s unwavering trajectory
INTERVIEW: CHRISTOPHE LEMAIRE & SARAH-LINH TRAN
Co-creative directors of Lemaire
ON-SITE WORKSHOP
Lemaire’s in-house atelier materializes the brand’s design universe
LEMAIRE WARDROBE
Lemaire’s iconic style imbues the brand’s shirts, jackets, overcoats, and other essential items
UNDERSTATEMENT
Delicate design language expressed through colors, materials, silhouettes, and other details
OPINION: ANJA ARONOWSKY CRONBERG
Fashion journalist Anja Aronowsky Cronberg attests that Lemaire provides physical and mental comfort through its clothes
DEFINITE
The unique perspectives of Lemaire brand fans who refuse to compare themselves with others
AT THE BOUTIQUE
Lemaire boutiques reflect the brand’s comfortable and calm mood
CRAFT PARTNERS
The brand expands its aesthetic domain through ingenious partnerships with artisans and artists
OPINION: SONYA DYAKOVA
Graphic designer Sonya Dyakova says that the allure of Lemaire is that it has created its own narrative by incorporating cultural elements in fashion
IN THE COLLECTIONS
Impressive Lemaire collections created in collaboration with outside creators
INDIVIDUALS
Strong personalities who have appeared on Lemaire runways
ESSAYS
Thoughts on the charms of Lemaire as everyday wear that is anything but mundane
AN OPTICAL POEM
Lemaire’s color palette reflects light, shadow, and nature’
BRAND STORY
How Lemaire grew while concentrating on creating styles rather than fashion
INSPIRATIONS
Music, films, books, and architecture that inspire the Lemaire designer duo
Outro
Description
The reason I developed a personal, inward-looking relationship with clothing might have a link with my family background. I’m French and Vietnamese—as well as Polish and Jewish. I wanted to make clothes my own language so that I could essentially defy the boxes or categories that others tried to fit me into. Adding some porosity to my wardrobe meant I could transcend temporal, spatial, and social constraints, which I think is in line with Lemaire’s vision.
Sarah-Linh Tran, Co-creative directors of Lemaire
Comfort when you wear the piece is top priority. Apparel that allows personal space between the piece and the wearer while offering free range of movement naturally reveals the wearer’s characteristics and charms. When creating clothing, we always keep in mind that a designer’s work is only 50 percent of the process—and that the rest goes to the wearer. As a designer, I try to leave room for interpretation, rather than forcing our personal ideas onto our clientele.
Christophe Lemaire, Co-creative directors of Lemaire
Paires nicely with Magazine B: Chanel, Magazine B: Maison Kitsune, Magazine B: Maison Margiela
Additional information
| Weight | 380 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 9.5 × 6.75 × 0.75 in |
| Publisher | JOH |
| Pages | 148 |
| Size | 6.69 X 9.45in |
| Issue # | 72 |
