PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ: “I always find a good reason to come to the Ritz,” said Inès de la Fressange on Friday, noting that the hotel’s staff sees her “as part of the furniture.”
She was there officially presenting her eponymous brand for the first time to buyers and the press during Paris Fashion Week. “It’s a little scary, but people have been very kind all day,” she said, standing in a salon giving on to the hotel’s garden.
Her brand, which is available in around 20 specialty stores, including Paris’ Colette and The Webster in the U.S., is to expand its domestic and international presence next year, said Fabrice Boé, chief executive officer of Inès de la Fressange Paris.
The sprawling spring 2017 collection comprises about 200 items ranging from cashmere sweaters, jeans (created in collaboration with French denim label Notify), suede skirts, shoes and bags to stickers. In addition to pieces traditionally in keeping with de la Fressange’s Parisian style — think blazers and flared pants — there are other items, such as the Paris-Texas-themed embroidered shirt, a sweater festooned with “Happ’ Ines” and a long dress floral print.
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“I am a big fan. Bravo!” Laure Hériard Dubreuil, founder and ceo of The Webster, told de la Fressange. “This is perfect for Miami. We want pink!”
For Hériard Dubreuil, who had just opened the retailer’s first West Coast boutique, in Orange County’s South Coast Plaza, the Ritz in Paris feels like home. She’s even been invited to conceive a capsule collection of travel essentials for its new concept store.
Meanwhile, de la Fressange is plotting a collection for Petit Bateau, whose proceeds after it hits stores in November will go to the non-profit organization International Federation for Human Rights. She also has a collaboration with suitcase brand Lipault in the works.
Friends including Vincent Darré and journalist and vintage fanatic J.J. Martin, also turned up to the fashion presentation. “Look who’s here. High society is coming,” de la Fressange said.
“It’s ‘chic-issima,'” said Martin, about the collection. “I love your stripe-on-stripe situation,” she told Darré, referring to his tie and shirt pairing.