The brand behind the original stretch leather, Jitrois, is on the cusp of re-entering international markets in a big way, bringing designer leather to wider audiences across the world.
Currently based in Paris, on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, where it has been based since 1985, on Sloane Street in London and, since this April, Madison Avenue in New York, the cult luxury leather label has already lived quite a life prior to its new approach to the brand.
Princess Stéphanie de Monaco in Jitrois Couture, c. 1980s
Founded by Jean-Claude Jitrois in 1983, the brand became a favourite of the European jet-set, such as Princess Stéphanie de Monaco and Dalida, and one that was certainly no stranger to pushing the high-fashion envelope. Trumping ubiquitous power-dressing shapes in his early years by giving them a sporty yet fundamentally glamorous makeover, Jean-Claude’s innovative approach to sensual leather construction soon became all the rage.
Farrah Fawcett in Jitrois Couture, c. 1980s
Lo and behold, Jitrois would then go on to become renowned as an unrivaled master in crafting select raw materials, including suede and fur, and would eventually be much revered in France.
Brigitte Nielsen in Jitrois with Jean-Claude Jitrois, c. 1980s
Today, Jitrois presents an fresh contemporary take on its time-honoured trademarks and is also nurturing a prospering presence in Beijing and Hong Kong. Still led as a privately held company by Jean-Claude as art director and chief executive officer Gilbert Maria, the best-in-leathers brand have now fully re-aligned themselves with chic contemporaneity.
New looks from Jitrois
Sleek embroideries are lightly embroidered onto leather with tulle and silk accents for SS16 and even include literal motifs that read “Open your eyes and free your mind”. Encompassing Jean-Claude’s aspirational attitude to freedom that has always underpinned the brand, other bohemian influences include torrents of tassels, loose yet always figure-hugging silhouettes and fringed stretch-leathers right out of Cher’s “Half-Breed” hippie heyday.
The latest Jitrous collection
Dubbed “an ode to lightness and transparency”, the move towards day-wear delicacy in warm paradisiacal hues with seductive undertones are case in point that, as a brand and enduring product of Jean-Claude’s creative design spirit, Jitrois is still onto a winner when it comes to serving up self-expression.
by Liam Feltham
Images courtesy of Jitrois
To see more of the latest at Jitrois go here