A Wren Says

Simon Porte Jacquemus is a farmer by blood. It is not surprising he’s show the ability to grow a brand with his own hands into something so beautiful and fruitful. His early life in Mallebort allowed him time in the outdoors, so much so that he gained the nickname, Mr. Sun. His agricultural upbringing allowed his creativity to bloom. The act of farming is in of itself an art, but his father was also a poet and musician, while his mother a skilled homemaker.  Even more, growing up on a farm, working with his hands cemented in him the idea of hard work and handicraft.

Simon’s own draw to the arts was first through film.  He was fascinated by the likes Charlotte Gainsbourg, Sophie Marceau, and Bénédicte Delmas.  He wanted to learn everything about them and imagine every aspect of their lives. Fashion was his window in. Inspired as well by the pages of Vogue Italia, he recognized that he could tell a story through clothes. By age 8, he had written a letter to Jean Paul-Gaultier, confidently explaining to the designer why he was needed on staff, even though a child. He remembers early on being told that he would enjoy the world of fashion, but that the pursuit would be futile. Moving forward with trust in his vision, he would continue on to prove that fashion is not superficial but “is a necessity.”

At 18, he enrolled in the École Supérieure des Arts et Techniques de la Mode in Paris. However just barely into his first semester, tragedy stuck. Just one month into his studies in Paris, his mother would pass tragically in a car accident. Simon dropped out of school shortly after. It was an event that would forever change his life and his trajectory in the industry.

While his heart was broken by his loss, it led him to recognize the precarious nature of life. Nothing, not another day, was guaranteed. In losing his mother, he realized that life was not guaranteed and that he couldn’t wait any longer to make his dreams a reality. He took the took the step to launch his label. Bearing his mother’s maiden name, Jacquemus, and with a focus on womenswear it was his homage to the woman he loved so much.

“I said to myself, “Okay, from now on, I must do what I want to do.” So, I created my brand, and I gave it my mother’s maiden name, Jacquemus”

Simon Porte Jacquemus, as quoted in Purple Magazine

Having started the brand at 19 in 2009, he debuted his first collection for AW 2010, staging a mock protest in front of Dior, with a model dressed in attire he paid a curtain maker to stitch for him. He was making things happen as a self-trained and funded designer but needed the capital to support himself and his vision. After doing a showing in Tokyo, he met Rei Kawakubo and later her husband Adrian Joffe of the label, Comme Des Garcons. Simon begged and finally was granted a position as a sales clerk at their store. This time allowed him to work on his own collection at night, while continuing to learn about the industry through his day job. The brand would also serve as an inspiration as he continued his on line.

From there his star only continued to rise. His first showing on the official Paris Fashion Week schedule was SS 2013, with a collection titled La Maison. In 2014, he was a finalist for the LVMH prize. The next year, he would go on to win the LVMH special jury prize and was awarded €150k. His advisor at the time, Sophie Brocart, suggested that he use the money to hire more technically skilled staff as he did not have formal training of his own. What he did have was the personality and passion to take the helm in the CEO role.

Thank you for reading this quick overview on Simon Porte Jacquemus. Tomorrow’s post will focus more on the brand Jacquemus.

Sources:

Barnard, C. (2017, March 14). Simon Porte Jacquemus on his namesake label and the importance of spontaneity. Paper Mag. https://www.papermag.com/simon-porte-jacquemus-on-his-namesake-label-and-the-importance-of-spon-2314249230.html

Business of Fashion. (n.d). Simon Porte Jacquemus. https://www.businessoffashion.com/community/people/simon-porte-jacquemus

Jacquemus. (n.d.). Simon. https://www.jacquemus.com/simon

Tewson, C. (2018, Nov. 27). FIVE MINUTES WITH… SIMON PORTE JACQUEMUS. Front Row Edit. https://frontrowedit.co.uk/five-minutes-with-simon-porte-jacquemus/

Zahm, Olivier. (2016). Simon Porte Jacquemus. Purple Magazine. S/S 2016 issue 25. https://purple.fr/magazine/ss-2016-issue-25/simon-porte-jacquemus/