Catherine Malandrino's NEW YORK Dispatch Vol. 07

CATHERINE MALANDRINO

CATHERINE MALANDRINO'S NEW YORK DIARY vol.07

“The people who support my family, friends, and creations“

This is the seventh installment of the series by Catherine Malandrino, a French designer based in New York. This time, we focus on the beloved family and friends who are the bedrock of Catherine's creative endeavors.

Text by Catherine Malandrino

Creative energy fueled by the support of those closest to me

Hello everyone in Japan. This is Catherine Malandrino. This is my seventh letter to you. Today, I'd like to talk about my family and friends, who are my source of energy for my creative work.

For me, family and friends are indispensable. They are the most important things in my life. Family, especially, is ICHIBAN! (Editor's note: The original text also uses Japanese here). I believe that my ability to present new collections each season is entirely due to the warm love and support from these people close to me. I believe that loving and being loved generates creativity and fills life with joy, confidence, and strength.

In my work in fashion and style, Véronique, the US President of Estée Lauder, is always a great support. She has a strong vision and always gives me precise advice. And my friend in Japan, Akiko (Editor's note: Akiko Kaneko, who handles PR for Catherine Malandrino in Japan). She is a friend I trust implicitly and always provides support that no one else can. She is a partner in whom I place my complete trust, to the point where my business in Japan would be impossible without her.

With Véronique, US President of Estée Lauder.

With Akiko Kaneko of A.KA Tokyo and her partner, Bernard.

With Selima, the eyewear designer.

With R&B singer Mary J. Blige.

Selima, a dear friend in both my professional and personal life. We always have so much fun together. As an eyewear designer, we even collaborate on items. Mary J. Blige, a leading R&B singer in America, is also a close friend and an irreplaceable partner. She always gives me strength and inspiration. I resonated with the philosophy of her non-profit organization FFAWN (THE FOUNDATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN NOW—a foundation that supports women in achieving their dreams by providing educational and developmental programs to unlock the potential of women who are not necessarily fortunate in terms of financial circumstances or background), which she co-founded in 2007, and last year I created a music-inspired collection for charity.

I also love holding regular girls' nights with my friends and going on picnics! Many friends came to my birthday party as well.

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Catherine's birthday party.

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Picnic with friends on a holiday.

And, especially important to me, my family. My son, Oscar, and I are very close. We sometimes go to watch basketball games together. My partner, Bernard, who supports me both professionally and personally, is my everything! Bernard gives me real wings. Thanks to him, I can soar.

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This was taken at my recent collection. Oscar is on the left.

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With Bernard, who supports Catherine both professionally and personally.

May love overflow around all of you.

With love,—
Catherine Malandrino

Catherine Malandrino
Born in Grenoble, France. After graduating from Esmod Paris, she honed her skills at Maisons such as Emanuel Ungaro, Louis Féraud, and Yves Saint Laurent. In 1998, she took her first dazzling career step in America as Head Designer for Diane von Furstenberg. She subsequently 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.