French designer Simon Porte Jacquemus is immersed in a flurry of activity across various fronts, from a chic restaurant in Saint-Tropez to a captivating wedding line and the unveiling of sophisticated Parisian offices with an art gallery ambience. Through these ventures, he meticulously shapes the identity of his Jacquemus label while expanding its repertoire with fresh ready-to-wear categories and an immersive lifestyle experience.
Jacquemus has demonstrated remarkable dynamism in both retail expansion and product innovation. Surpassing the €200 million revenue milestone, the brand has unveiled its latest venture, a franchised boutique in Dubai which established in collaboration with the esteemed Chalhoub Group, a prominent luxury distributor in the Middle East.
Diversifying Elegance: Jacquemus Beyond-Fashion Lifestyle Offerings
Expanding its product portfolio, Jacquemus has ventured beyond fashion into lifestyle offerings, including home linens, garden furnishings, and design pieces, alongside a captivating childrenswear line. The latest addition to its repertoire is the “Le mariage” collection, catering to both women and men. This exquisite assortment features wedding attire and occasion wear for brides, grooms, and guests, complemented by shoes, jewellery, and handbags.
Additionally, the collection presents a selection of summery ensembles and accessories, such as swimsuits, beach towels adorned with the brand’s signature yellow stripes, and chic sunglasses. Prices span from €190 for bikini bottoms to slightly over €2,000 for the understated yet elegant white bridal gown.
Jacquemus has unveiled yet another anticipated project for the upcoming summer season which is a beach club, restaurant, and boutique set to grace the shores of Saint-Tropez. The announcement on the brand’s Instagram account left details tantalizingly scarce. This venture follows last summer’s successful inauguration of a beach club near Ramatuelle.
While delving into hospitality, Jacquemus previously introduced the Citron café and Oursin restaurant within the Galeries Lafayette department store in Paris, although both have since ceased operations. Embracing the allure of temporary spaces, the label has been a fixture in the pop-up store scene, particularly in sought-after summer destinations across France and Italy. This year, the Côte d’Azur remains a focal point for Jacquemus’s continued pursuit of this strategic approach.
As Jacquemus charts a course toward a more upscale positioning through its diversification strategy, the brand amplifies its ties to the art world. Artistic disciplines such as design, cinema, architecture, and visual arts have long served as wellsprings of inspiration for Porte Jacquemus.
Fashion as Art: Creative Vision and Artistic Ventures
This creative synergy is evident in endeavours like the La Collectionneuse ready-to-wear collection for AW19/20 and the selection of evocative runway venues. Recent showcases, such as the “Les sculptures” presentation held at the Maeght Foundation in Saint-Paul-de-Vence or the iconic rooftop display at the Mucem Museum in Marseille in 2017, underscore Jacquemus’s commitment to intertwining fashion with the rich tapestry of artistic expression. As the search for a new CEO continues following Bastien Daguzan’s departure, this emphasis on artistic fusion reflects the brand’s ongoing evolution towards refined distinction.
Art serves as a conduit for projecting a heightened sense of sophistication in brand identity. Jacquemus recently unveiled images of its new Parisian headquarters on rue de Lisbonne, near Parc Monceau, in the 8th arrondissement. The headquarters, scheduled to open at the beginning of 2024, were entrusted to the OMA architecture studio, which previously collaborated on the design of the brand’s Dubai store, while Unispace in charge of the interior design.
The new offices boast a delightful terrace and are adorned with a soothing palette of gentle tones. Most notably, they exude the ambience of an art gallery featuring exquisite designer furnishings and a curated array of artworks personally selected by Porte Jacquemus. Among these treasures are paintings and sculptures by esteemed artists such as Aristide Maillol, David Hockney, Balthus, Amedeo Modigliani, and more.
In celebration of its 15th anniversary, the renowned label helmed by the Provence-born designer is poised to fortify its polished image with an upcoming show scheduled for June 10 in Capri. Set against the backdrop of the iconic Villa Malaparte, celebrated for its modernist architecture and expansive roof terrace, the event holds historical significance as the filming location for Jean-Luc Godard’s 1963 movie “Contempt,” starring luminaries Brigitte Bardot and Michel Piccoli. Notably, the villa is typically closed to the public and will open its doors to host a fashion show for the first time.
