About the Designer
Ines de la Fressange was the first model to sign an exclusive modeling contract with an haute couture fashion house, Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld, whose muse she became in 1980. However, in 1989, Lagerfeld and De la Fressange had an argument and parted company. Likely this argument was, at least in part, regarding her decision to lend her likeness to a bust of Marianne, the ubiquitous symbol of the French republic. Lagerfeld reputedly condemned her decision, saying that Marianne was the embodiment of "everything that is boring, bourgeois, and provincial" and that he would not dress up historic monuments.
In 1991, she made her own brand, “Inès de La Fressange S.A.” and her shop selling luxury goods, ready to wear, and perfume at 14 of avenue Montaigne, in partnership with Louis Vuitton group. It was an immediate success, especially in France, U.S.A. and Japan.
In 2002, she wrote with the Marie-Claire journalist Marianne Mairesse, her autobiography:” Profession mannequin” published by Hachette. She collaborated with Parisian designer Bruno Fissoni to relaunch the Roger Vivier’s haute couture shoes, for which she became art director then chairman.
As of 2009, De la Fressange does not model often. She has been a businesswoman with a chain of clothing boutiques, a designer, and a consultant for Jean-Paul Gaultier. She presented a creation by Gaultier for his Spring/Summer 2009 haute couture collection at the Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week and walked the runway for Gaultier during the event, at age 51.
Ines at Spring 2009 Couture - Jean Paul Gautier Runway
Ines de la Fressange Jewel line
From the most classic lines to genuine fashion accessories, in sterling silver or gold-plated, each piece is produced with painstaking care and enables you to satisfy every desire. For the Spring-Summer Collection 2009, the Ines de la Fressange pieces of jewellery continue to seduce women won over by the sensuality of the Montaigne line, imbued with “Parisian Chic”.
Silver Necklace
3-color Silver Bracelet
A selection of Ines' jewel is now available exclusively at Kapok.
