Isabel Marant

December 24, 2024

The Godmother of French Chic

"Don't dress someone in something you wouldn't wear yourself."Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Isabel Marant is more passionate about fashion than anyone.

 

Isabel Marant Director Isabel Marant ⓒtelegraph.co.uk

 

A Constant Pursuit by Celebrities

Sincerity always wins. Isabel Marant's devoted following shows no signs of waning, even after three decades. And it's not just any following. We're talking about fashion legends like Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, Kate Bosworth, and Alexa Chung.

 

Kate Moss in Isabel Marant FW08 ⓒvogue.fr
Sienna Miller wearing an Isabel Marant shearling coat ⓒshopltk.com, Kate Bosworth wearing a Isabel Marant sweater ⓒstealthelook.com.br

    

Back in 2012 I attended a concert by Blonde Redhead, a band I absolutely adored. It wasn't just the music that blew me away. The lead singer Kazu Makino looked so incredibly stylish, like an angel who had crash-landed in the desolate American desert. I couldn't get her look out of my head, so I started obsessively searching online. Imagine my surprise when I finally discovered that her entire outfit was Isabel Marant. A brand that could capture that kind of vibe? I was hooked.

 

Blonde Redhead’s vocalist Kazu Makino ⓒelle.com
Isabel Marant (left) and her muse, Kazu Makino (right) ⓒpinterest

 

That was the moment I became truly invested in Isabel Marant's journey. Her unwavering authenticity, free-spirited wanderlust, and evolving femininity, and the fact that she's maintained these qualities since day one, is what makes her so compelling.

  

Dixie D'Amelio (left) wearing a studded jacket from Isabel Marant and Dua Lipa (right) wearing Leslie shorts.
Meredith Duxbury (left) wearing a shirt jacket and Bella Hadid (right) wearing Denby high boots ⓒstarstyle.com

    

Her innate sense of style was undeniable.

Marant’s original plan wasn’t to be a designer. Once dreaming of becoming a veterinarian, from a young age she rebelled against feminine fashion, often opting for her own unique looks even when it meant standing out at school. Her style icon was none other than punk legend Patti Smith, and she was deeply immersed in the experimental music and fashion of the New Wave era.
    
Patti Smith ⓒculturacolectiva.com

     

With such a distinctive taste, finding clothes that met her standards was nearly impossible. So, Isabel Marant took matters into her own hands and began designing her own. She persuaded her father to buy her a sewing machine and started creating pieces from old clothes and scraps of fabric. In a 2012 British Vogue interview, she admitted, ‘I didn’t even know what fashion was back then.’ Yet, her talent was undeniable. Word of her unique style spread quickly among her friends, who began requesting custom pieces.
    
At 15 she dated Christophe Lemaire, the future founder of Lemaire. They shared a passion for music and fashion and collaborated on designs to sell in local stores. Just think about what their early pieces might have looked like given the success of both of their brands today.
       
Isabel Marant's early logo (left), Marant winning the Best Designer Award in 1997 (right) ⓒisabelmarant.com

       

After graduating from the prestigious Studio Berçot in Paris, Isabel Marant launched her eponymous label in 1994. The following year she made a bold debut with a Spring/Summer collection featuring her friends as models, and by 1998 had opened her first store in Paris. With annual sales increasing by 30% in the early years, it was clear that Isabel Marant had made a significant impact on the fashion industry.
    
The first store in Paris, 1998 ⓒisabelmarant.com

  

synonymous with French chic.

Isabel Marant is pretty much synonymous with French chic these days. In a fashion world full of brands trying to outdo each other, hers has managed to stay relevant. What's her secret? Consistency and quality. If you're even a little bit into fashion, you can instantly recognize an Isabel Marant piece. Her style is a unique blend of bohemian vibes, rock-and-roll edge, and a touch of romantic flair: a look that's all her own.

 
FW24
RESORT24
FW23 ⓒvogue.com

   

Isabel Marant's SS25 collection is a wild ride into tribal territory. The designer has channeled her signature punk aesthetic through a tribal lens, resulting in a collection that's both fierce and feminine. Think fringed suede dresses, studded leather pants, rugged blousons, and the brand's iconic mini dresses, all with a touch of untamed wilderness. Yet, beneath the savage exterior lies a sophistication that's evident in the exquisite materials and impeccable craftsmanship. It's a perfect blend of the primitive and the polished, proving once again that Isabel Marant knows how to create pieces that are both edgy and effortlessly chic.

 

SS25 ⓒvogue.com

    

A staunch believer in the power of the human touch, she’s known for her dedication to artisanal craftsmanship. While her designs are often adorned with handcrafted details, she prioritizes comfort in both silhouette and fabric. As she puts it, 'Fashion is an industry, but behind it, there are always people, talented individuals, and their years of accumulated expertise.’

 

SS24
RESORT25, FW23 ⓒvogue.com
FW24
FW21, OSKAN MOON BAG launched in 2023 ⓒisabelmarant.com

    

Isabel Marant isn't one to chase the latest trends. The brand is more interested in mining the past for inspiration. Their menswear, for instance, is full of folkloric elements that feel both totally timeless and totally now. It's like they're taking you on a nostalgic journey with a seriously cool, grungy twist.

   

SS25
PRE-FALL23 ⓒvogue.com

     

Their style is all about embracing the unexpected. They effortlessly combine opposites, like velvet and leather, or military and floral. It's a bold, confident approach that results in truly one-of-a-kind looks.

   

RESORT25
FW24
FW22 ⓒvogue.com

    

Isabel Marant has perfected the art of French nonchalance. Her clothes look like you threw them on without a second thought, but there's a level of sophistication that's undeniable. It's the perfect blend of effortless cool and intentional style.