Reaching the age of 50, I am now feeling completely free to reveal what has always been with me: enthusiasm, dreaming, dancing, partying… In short, everything that has driven me and set me in motion since childhood. In the house that bears my name and which I have founded 16 years ago, I don’t really design and make fashion pieces, I create characters. Where do I find the inspiration to do this? In movies, in cartoons, in music from the 1990s.

When, as a young teenager I had become a prey to violence and harassment because of my differences, my bedroom had become my shelter. it was populated with fantastic figures: small statues of superheroes, mangas, princesses…, These characters have all grown up with me, They have accompanied me in all my battles and they are still populating my imagination and the shelves of my creative studio. Today, I am putting them on stage at Théâtre Mogador in Paris, to reveal them in full light because they have always acted as protective talismans for me.

Of course, I have since discovered and acquired the techniques and know-hows of Haute Couture and of the best craftsmen who surround it. I can offer today an ultra-luxury version of these characters who have given birth to more heroes. Each one of them, from the goddess in a cyborg trench coat opening the show to the luxury dealer version of the white rabbit, together with the impressive ringmaster, the “exploded “Joker, the female clown from a black and white flick or the princess who has gone through the mirror… All off them could come out of an animated film. This is what continues to fascinate me when I am looking at the metaverse: I am not only considering how to integrate into the virtual world, architectured clothing with multiple layers of fabric, I would also like to see the aesthetics of the animated films that have made us dream since childhood on real women and men living in our world .

Indeed, this is a real full show. No, this is not fashion… or what is usually expected from “regular” fashion pieces. Down with trends! Long live independent and free Haute Couture! Free to create and offer its customers legendary outfits for women and men who give themselves the freedom to acquire them and have the guts to wear them under the right circumstances.

Each look in this collection is in fact an original work of textile art, through the mastery in its construction, but also through the selected colors and through their incredible embellishments. I thank the craftsmen who contribute to make my fantasies come true with their exceptionnal technical skills, I thank the tailors and seamstresses in my workshop who have complied with all my designrequirements and sewing techniques,, and to the artists and friends who were kind enough to participate in this show to make it an extravagant moment.

Thanks to Audrey Fleurot, Marina Viotti, Ashey Scott, Déborah François, Cédric Le Gallo and all my supermodels for a day… Whether you are opera singers, film actresses, a sculptress or film directors , your support is highly appreciated! Thanks are also going to Wilfried Bernard who directed the choreography in the show and to my dancers gathered for the event.

As the spokesman for this collective effort, and in the name of all the multiple talents gathered to bring back full excitement and fun to this Haute Couture show, please be aware that we are all only seeking to share my joy of dreaming, sketching, sewing and performing.

Julien Fournié
The Dancing Couturier

www.julienfournie.com