IN THE AGE of fast fashion, Lemaire goes against the grain by focusing on conscious consumerism. The low-key luxury label prides itself on crafting well-made clothes from quality materials, resisting trend patterns by modifying its existing silhouettes from season to season. Neutral in colour and easy to wear, Lemaire’s garments are simple, sophisticated and timeless.
For their SS21 collection, Christopher Lemaire and Sarah Linh-Tran break with tradition by presenting a co-ed collection, bidding adieu to the womenswear shows that usually take place in February and September. While the brand has long fashioned an androgynous aesthetic, the SS21 collection goes one step further to eliminate gender codes – and the result is impressive.
Streamed from Paris, the collection was presented in video form on Monday evening. Longline trench coats, square-shouldered blazers, and free-flowing trousers materialised in neutral shades, accompanied by a buttery soft yellow hue for a touch of vibrancy. Black was also a predominant colour in the collection – as always.
Monochromatic looks constructed strong silhouettes, which appeared in a stream of fabrics and textures. But the real magic was in the tailoring. At once sleek and sharp, suits were generally boxy in style, exaggerating delicate structures with an air of power and confidence. And the result? A beautiful symbiosis between menswear and womenswear, with subtle hints of contrast for understated sensibility.
Lemaire is an ethical brand with an admirable ethos, and the SS21 collection is nothing but a progressive triumph – for men, for women, and for the future of fashion.
by Rhiannon JenkinsÂ