Ingie Paris FW20 70s-inspired collection features a bold palette of eye-popping colors, such as with this fuchsia power suit. Photo courtesy Ingie Paris
Ingie Paris is no stranger to Hollywood glamor. Whether it’s dressing the biggest stars of today, from Kendall Jenner to Ellie Goulding, or releasing a Paris Fashion Week collection inspired by cinema’s sparkling golden age, Ingie Paris is steeped in the timeless elegance of the silver screen, making it the ideal sartorial choice for a red carpet affair or a chic evening out. While the signature floral motifs and flowing silhouettes appear once again in the luxury label’s Fall/Winter 2020 collection, every piece is an unprecedented exploration into the “adventurous” side of women through a transformative journey to the 70s. Contrasting pleated bohemian dresses with structured fringe jackets and thigh-high boots with belted knee-length shorts in a vibrant palette of hues, this season is all about redefining the traditional perception of femininity. Vogue Arabia spoke to the Parisian brand’s French-Lebanese designer and founder Ingie Chalhoub about the iconic inspirations behind this retro collection, the importance of shattering gender norms through fashion, and how she herself describes femininity.
Why did you decide to champion the 70s in your latest collection? What is it about the Hollywood icons of that era that inspired you?
The 70’s era was fuelled with female icons that left their mark through their uninhibited beauty and allure, personifying the glamorous femininity of the decade. It wasn’t just about being beautiful they had to have a big personality–unusual, bold and dramatic. The ’70s were one such era with larger-than-life fashion icons that actually paved the path for fashion and brought an element of mystique to the world.
Ingie Paris FW20 collection. Photo courtesy of Ingie Paris
Do you think it’s important to play with gender-fluid pieces in your designs?
What we now call gender-fluid fashion has existed for as long as there have been gender norms to bend. In recent times, as the fashion industry is evolving, faster gender-fluid fashion has become more prevalent to mainstream audiences. There is a growing awareness about non-conformist fashion that is free from any restrictions but is still considered sophisticated and charming. The new Ingie Paris Fall 2020 collection proposes fluidity far from the traditionalism of formal wear, where ample volumes contrast with sharp tailored lines, echoing an air of androgyny that has become an international style staple prominent in fashions past and will most certainly continue into its future.
Which piece from your upcoming collection do you think will be your bestseller? Which is your personal favorite?
There is a lot of contrast in the new Ingie Paris Fall 2020 collection. I personally love the jackets as there is such a variety of forms that truly showcase the international allure of the collection: a fitted jacket, a short biker jacket in fringed leather or the wool cape, and the long double-breasted coat. These are statement pieces that continue to capture the essence of the Ingie Paris woman and resonate with our international clients.
Ingie Paris FW20 collection. Photo courtesy of Ingie Paris
Ingie Paris FW20 collection. Photo courtesy of Ingie Paris
What is your favorite aspect of designing a Fall/Winter collection?
When designing for any collection, I instill passion into every aspect of the process, from selecting the fabrics and colors that are synonymous with the season to producing intricate designs that fulfill a Fall/Winter silhouette, each stage of creativity makes the Fall/Winter collection special and unique. Patterns are daringly confrontational in their style whilst maintaining Ingie Paris signature elements, where we have key details such as flowers blending with georgette and feathers that are also visible in some looks.
Also Read: Frida Kahlo’s Multifaceted Character Lives On in Ingie Paris’s Spring 2020 Collection
Ingie Paris FW20 collection. Photo courtesy of Ingie Paris
Why did you choose a palette of such vibrant colors for a season that is normally more muted?
These colors and palettes are a tribute to the dynamic 70’s era, enhancing the woman’s natural radiance during both day and night. Bursts of pop colors including fuchsia, cyclamen, and a flashy green as well as muted shades of cream and a vibrant duck blue all are inspired by the celebration of excess and assertion of women’s emancipations, coherently presented to praise the real women of today.
As a collection rooted in “glamorous femininity”, how would you describe femininity? What type of woman do you imagine wearing this collection?
The collection is a celebration to the real women of today who are path-breakers, multi-tasking with different roles both by day and by night but doing so with a charming, elegant, and sophisticated brilliance–mixing influences and opposites that unite under collective vision. This is the Ingie Paris woman, one who is effortlessly chic and feminine yet also strong and unique.
Ingie Paris FW20 collection. Photo courtesy of Ingie Paris
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