Sophia Kokosalaki for Vionnet Collection * updated Sophia out

[Lena]

hmmm i just hope she's really doing this

thanks for the update cheruit

 

[softgrey]

softgrey, i can tell you the reason(s) why it is so difficut for younger designers to design under thier own name. while this list is not exhaustive here are a few.

thx hun...i'm sure this was helpful to some of our younger members who are new to this business...

i am quite familiar with the industry by now...
just commenting on how unfortunate it all is...
not wondering why...

 

[helena]

any more news about this

 

[DA070709]

WWD, March 2, 2006 - Fashion Scoop - Revival Game

REVIVAL GAME: Sophia Kokosalaki, who showed her latest collection on Wednesday, may have two fashion shows come next season, the second being Madeleine Vionnet. Arnaud de Lummen, Vionnet's chief executive, said the relaunch of the storied French brand is imminent. "We're in the final stages of securing retail partnerships," said De Lummen, adding that around two "exclusive" luxury stores would be selected to carry the collection. The line will be presented either in London, Paris or New York.

 

[birdofparadise]

Sophia @ vionnet...finally!

The London-based Greek designer has apparently been in talks with the French fashion house since last year and we've been told to expect an announcement to finalise the deal any moment...Italian designer Maurizio Pecoraro was approached about reviving the house of Vionnet in November 2002 and despite much excitement in the fashion world, the label never made it back onto the Fashion Week schedule. Next season, with Sophia at the helm however, it could be the star ticket. (July 5 2006, AM)

Dolly Jones

from vogue.co.uk

 

[sea of stitches]

^def one to watch out for. thanks for the update birdofparadise!

 

[Pastry]

so, are they going to have a runway show or what? if not, i hope some tfser gets a peek at the showroom..

 

[JJohnson]

so, are they going to have a runway show or what? if not, i hope some tfser gets a peek at the showroom..

oh i wanna peek!

 

[birdofparadise]

Koko didn't need Givenchy after all...

Sophia Kokosalaki to Helm Vionnet

Premiere collection debuts in Spring 2007

(NEW YORK) Vionnet, the legendary fashion house founded in 1912 by Madeleine Vionnet, is breathing with new life under the watch of an innovative, newly appointed creative director. The label’s CEO Arnaud de Lummen, who acquired rights to the brand in 1988, announced Thursday that designer Sophia Kokosalaki would take the house into the 21st century.
Kokosalaki, 33, has won acclaim in the fashion world since her graduation from Central St. Martin’s in London. The designer lists Vionnet—famed for her use of bias cutting techniques and dressing both Marlene Dietrich and Greta Garbo—as one of her greatest inspirations and was “humbled” by the appointment. She will debut her line with a Spring 2007 collection to be available in Paris at the Vionnet Studio and in the U.S. exclusively at Barneys New York.

-fashionweekdaily.com

 

[DA070709]

Kokosalaki at Vionnet: Confirmed

Press release of the House of Vionnet, available at vionnet.com:

Paris, France, July 6, 2006: Vionnet announces today that the House has appointed designer Sophia Kokosalaki as its Creative Director and will launch a debut collection for Spring 2007.

The collections designed by Sophia Kokosalaki for Vionnet will be exclusively available worldwide at Barneys New York stores in New York, Beverly Hills, Dallas, Boston, Chicago and at the Vionnet Studio in Paris.

Arnaud de Lummen, Chief Executive Officer of Vionnet, said: “Vionnet has one of the most exceptional fashion heritages and a timeless appeal. Our return on the fashion scene will not be an ordinary revival but a unique and genuine approach to bring forward the Vionnet vision. Sophia, with her technical abilities and contemporary feminine vision, will be in a rare position to honor the past of the House and invent its future. Our association with Barneys New York, one of the most forward-thinking stores in the world, will reinforce Vionnet’s appeal as a privileged desired modern luxury brand.”

“I am truly humbled to work on Vionnet. She is an inspiration to all designers and I look forward to exploring her work and discovering how it relates to women today” saidSophia Kokosalaki.

Howard Socol, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Barneys, stated: "Vionnet has always represented the highest level of integrity in fashion. This is what Barneys New York is constantly striving for. Barneys goal is to continue to honor the great design Houses that bring fashion forward. We are very pleased to have the opportunity to work with such a masterful name under the creative direction of Sophia Kokosalaki."

Legendary within the world of fashion, Madeleine Vionnet is considered a genius for her innovations with the bias cut and regarded by many as the greatest dressmaker of the 20th century. She gave a new fluidity to women’s wear and changed the course of fashion with her innovative and sensuous designs now venerated as masterpieces. Enshrining both glamour and simplicity, Vionnet shaped and finely tuned the image of some stars of the thirties, including Marlène Dietrich and Greta Garbo.The House of Vionnet was founded in 1912, opened in Paris at 50, avenue Montaigne in 1923 and on Fifth Avenue in New York in 1925. The House grew to employ 1,200 seamstresses, created over twelve thousands haute couture garments and was the first to create prêt-à-porter designs from haute couture for the US market. Madeleine Vionnet presented her farewell collection in 1939 but remained a celebrated innovator and a pervasive enduring influence on generations of designers. The trademark was acquired in 1988 by the Lummen family who protected the heritage of the House and patiently looked for the best successor to Madeleine Vionnet. With Sophia Kokosalaki at the creative helm, Vionnet has found the right fit.

Sophia Kokosalaki is a unique and innovative voice in modern fashion. From her first collection, she has proven herself a master of craftsmanship, draping and pleating techniques. Kokosalaki, 33, was born in Greece and graduated from Central Saint Martins in London. Her debut collection was shown during London Fashion Week in 1999 and since October 2004, has presented her collection during the Paris prêt-a-porter. In Spring/Summer 2001 and Fall/Winter 2002, Kokosalaki was a guest designer for Ruffo Research men’s and women’s collections. In 2002, she was the winner of the British Art Foundation Award for Fashion. In 2003, she won the ‘New Generation Designer’ award at the British Style Awards. She designed the costumes for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004, including the dress that Björk wore in her historical performance. Kokosalaki will continue to design and show her own collection under her own name.

Barneys New York, founded in 1923, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Jones Apparel Group, Inc., is a luxury retailer with flagship stores in New York City, Beverly Hills, Chicago and Boston.

 

[Monmonde]

Thanks so much for the article

Have nothing to say, I believe it would be amazing

 

[GuerrillaBoy]

i think Sophia is me most suitable person for a referesh at the well respected house of Mme Vionnet.

Looking forward to see the show!

 

[J'ador-DioR]

I'm very excited about this and I love the fact that they have chosen a female designer to revive the house . Thanks for posting this cheruit.

 

[Mr-Dale]

Great news! I hope that the house one day returns to couture...

 

[MulletProof]

cant wait to see what she does.

 

[iyemstoopid]

i think this certainly has the potential to be something really great! im looking forward towards what she'll be creating

 

[Lena]

i'm real happy for this being confirmed

 

[ultramarine]

Isnt it funny how Mme. Vionnet's inspiration came from Greece and now everything becomes full circle with a greek girl taking the helm?

I cant think of any designer more worthy ...Sophia's work is a perfect match with this house and I cant wait to see what is she gonna show!

 

[Pastry]

i like the "security" of this partnership...
sophia kokosalaki isn't egotistical to use this as her playground..she is very talented. it does appear to be a perfect fit, and somehow i know she will do a top notch job.

it's definitely one of those "why-didn't-i-think-of-that" moments for me!

 

[liberty33r1b]

great to see this confirmed!