ORIGINEL

On the 5th night of Vancouver Fashion Week, French fashion designer Lucie LeFranc  of Originel showed her up cycled collection of womenswear. The following excerpt comes from the designers biographical notes provided to Vancouver Fashion Week.

I joined the MJM school in Lille to study fashion design, where I spent 2 years learning the basics of sewing, pattern-making, drawing, and design. Two years that confirmed my passion, COVID years where I had to develop my style and experiment in a hybrid learning model.

After graduating, I decided to continue my third year in Paris, where 'LISAA' (France's leading school of applied arts) was my choice. I produced my first complete collection, my first fashion show, and I also developed my requirements for working by the book. My 3rd year ended with an internship with a young upcycling swimwear brand. It was in my Parisian maid's room that I created, stitched, cut, and sewed swimsuits from recycled materials.

After graduating, I decided to come back to Lille to develop my own brand. I set up my workshop in Tourcoing, the cradle of fashion and textiles along with the town of Roubaix. Since then, I've been seeking out exceptional fabrics and forgotten materials to transform them into fashion products.

I am 24, my name is Lucie, and I've created my upcycling brand 'Originel.' 'Originel' because the brand pays tribute to the woman and the earth, the two starting points of life.

ORIGINEL

A REVIEW

I had the opportunity to meet Lucie LeFranc the day after her show at VFW. The young designer was showing her collection in the VFW showroom.  During our conversation, Lucie shared her inspiration, stating, "I draw immense inspiration from the elegance of the 18th century. The captivating silhouettes and historical references truly resonate with me."

As I observed her meticulously crafted garments,,it became evident that Lucie's attention to detail was unparalleled. Each piece exuded a sense of artistry and precision that was truly captivating. Lucie then revealed, "To source my fabrics, I scoured second-hand stores, where I stumbled upon these magnificent wool tapestries. It was in that moment that the concept for my collection was born." Lucie is committed to making a brand that is sustainable.

Lucie's decision to work with deadstock and upcycled fabrics is not only commendable but also instrumental in shaping the direction of her creations. She explained, "When you embark on a journey with such unique materials, it is the fabrics themselves that dictate the path you take in your creative process."

ORIGINEL ON THE RUNWAY

Lucie LeFranc sent 12 looks made up of 27 pieces down the runway. At first sight, these models could have walked off an 18th-century canvas or the screen of the rollicking bawdy movie "Tom Jones." The 18th-century corset partially inspires this collection. While the garments on the runway could easily have looked like costumes of the past, the designer has adapted these looks into a contemporary hybrid of fashionable clothes.

Beautiful, rich tapestries in rust, burgundy, and earthy tones pair with creamy lace and black cotton. The silhouettes are corseted tops with either full, lacy minis or ankle grazing maxi skirts. Le Franc told me, "I design clothes that I would like to wear myself; these clothes are for young women who love fashion and aren't afraid of showing their style and their sexuality."

Tapestry fabrics are robust and are well-suited to the corsets in this collection. One standout corset has a pair of lovers on the front panel, another features a goose, and others have pastoral scenes. Each garment includes detailed elements such as lace trims, embroidered shoulder straps, and a series of bags that accessorize the looks.

Lucie LeFranc comes from Lille and evokes the region from where she comes in her designs by using the abandoned fabrics of this industrial area. We can imagine these charming clothes in the north of France, where they originate, or equally on the chic streets of Paris or any of the fashion capitals. The Originel brand creates looks that are au courant and uniquely celebrate upcycled fabrics.

IN CONCLUSION

I always want to give a hand to small fashion brands. I love the work of Lucie LeFranc and her brand Originel. LeFranc effortlessly blends the elegance of 18th-century style fabrics with the fast-paced world of Instagram. It's like she's bridging the gap between two completely different eras, and the result is simply stunning. But what really makes Originel stand out is its ability to make old things relevant in today's world. In a time where sustainability is more important than ever, this brand is doing its part by repurposing and reimagining fabrics that might have otherwise been forgotten. It's a refreshing approach that truly resonates with the times we live in.

CIAO FOR NOW J.ANDREW