Rochas and Charles de Vilmorin, is over

After barely two years, the collaboration between Rochas and Charles de Vilmorin has come to an end. The contract between the Parisian luxury house, owned by Interparfums, and the young French designer, who had been in charge of its women's ready-to-wear collections since 2021, has not been renewed. The latter has officially left the company, it announced in a brief statement.

Without explaining the reasons for the designer's departure, Rochas simply states that "March 31, 2023 saw the end of Charles de Vilmorin's contract with Interparfums and HIM Co, after a collaboration that lasted four seasons." No indication is given about his potential successor. The label only indicates that "more information on the next chapter of the brand will follow."

Last February, the house did not hold its traditional fashion show, settling with just a presentation. With his exuberant and colourful style, drawing on a whimsical and fairy-tale world reminiscent of childhood, Charles de Vilmorin has never really managed to resonate with the hyper-feminine and elegant Rochas spirit, designing voluminous creations far removed from the sophisticated looks of his predecessor, Alessandro Dell'Acqua.

The 26-year-old designer, who will chair the fashion jury at this year's Hyères Festival, has done spectacularly well in the past in three years. Son of an art teacher and a financial director with a passion for fashion, he took the plunge during the spring 2020 lockdown and launched a first collection of colourful bombers which he promoted on his social networks.

Six months later, in January 2021, he made his debut with his newly launched brand at the very select Haute Couture Week, before being offered, in February 2021, the opportunity to take over the creative direction of the Rochas house.

"We would like to thank Charles for his contribution to the Rochas legacy. His creative vision will have a lasting impact on the brand's universe," commented Interparfums CEO Philippe Benancin.

The French licensed fragrance specialist acquired the Rochas brand in 2015, announcing in 2021 the extension of its partnership with Italian firm Him Co SPA (formerly Onward Luxury Group) for women's ready-to-wear, which had been managed under license by Onward since 2008. Founded in 1925 by Marcel Rochas, the French fashion house was led before the arrival of Charles de Vilmorin by Olivier Theyskens in 2002, then by Marco Zanini in 2008 and finally by Alessandro Dell'Acqua in 2013.

Rochas and Charles de Vilmorin, is over

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