CATHERINE MALANDRINO | Catherine Malandrino's New York Dispatch Vol. 02

CATHERINE MALANDRINO

CATHERINE MALANDRINO's NEW YORK DIARY vol.02

“My Sources of Inspiration”

Catherine Malandrino, who is based in New York and presents her collections there. Her second letter, sent just before the New York Collection, is about her “sources of inspiration.”

Text by Catherine Malandrino

From the Film "Easy Rider" to "Rive Gauche"

Hello, this is Catherine Malandrino. As I write this letter, we are right before the presentation of the 2011-12AW NEW YORK Collection! It’s been a very hectic period, but today I want to write about my sources of inspiration.

My collections are, in fact, inspired by a wide variety of things. Dorothy Parker, the novelist of the Jazz Age; the Stars and Stripes from the film "Easy Rider"; gospel music; prima donnas; Gitanes cigarettes… and travel.

I love traveling the world and am always visiting various countries. I just returned from Beijing, China, at the end of the year. The people, culture, traditions, and nature of the places I visit always offer fresh surprises, inspiration, and sometimes, respect, and these become the source of my collections.

For example, the theme for the Fall/Winter 2010 collection was “KHAN.” I reflected on the vast nature and somewhat primitive styles of Mongolia, tracing the roots of women's inherent strength and beauty.

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Malandrino Fall/Winter 2010 Collection

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Malandrino Spring/Summer 2011 Collection

Also, for Spring/Summer 2011, I was inspired by the creative works of Roger Capron, a ceramist active in Vallauris, a town in the South of France. The loose, relaxed silhouettes evoke the free spirit and lifestyle of the South.

Another particularly memorable piece for me is the flag dress, inspired by the Stars and Stripes, which I presented in 2001. A few months after it graced the window of Bergdorf Goodman on Fifth Avenue, the 9/11 attacks occurred. Amidst the rising patriotism across America, many celebrities, including Madonna, Halle Berry, Julia Roberts, and Sharon Stone, eagerly wore the flag dress on magazine covers and at official events. It garnered significant attention and remains an iconic piece to this day.

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Flag Dress Presented in 2001

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From the Inspiration for the Fall/Winter 2011 Collection

So, what about the newly presented Fall/Winter 2011 collection?──“Rive Gauche” in Paris. This collection draws inspiration from the retro and classic beauty of legendary French actresses and models such as Catherine Deneuve, Anouk Aimée, and Jane Birkin. I will introduce these photos, including backstage shots, in the fourth installment. See you then!

With all my heart──
Catherine Malandrino

Catherine Malandrino｜CATHERINE MALANDRINO
Born in Grenoble, France. After graduating from ESMOD Paris, she honed her skills at esteemed Maisons such as Emanuel Ungaro, Louis Féraud, and Yves Saint Laurent. In 1998, she took her first step into a brilliant career in America as the Head Designer for Diane von Fürstenberg. Subsequently, she launched two brands: “Malandrino,” an exclusive and high-end limited edition line, and “Catherine Malandrino,” which incorporates a more casual aesthetic. Her feminine, elegant, and distinctive collections have garnered passionate support from women worldwide.