Lemaire's Creative Directors Discuss Fashion's Narrative and Global Influences

Christophe Lemaire and Sarah-Linh Tran, the creative directors of fashion brand Lemaire, discussed their design philosophy in an interview. Their brand, founded in 1991 and relaunched with Tran's involvement in 2010, is based in Paris's historic Place des Vosges. They emphasize a global perspective on style, rejecting stereotypical notions of French fashion. Their collections blend diverse cultural references, such as Vietnamese áo dài and Arab skirts with Western elements, inspired by sources like the book 'Cheap Chic' and photographers including August Sander. Lemaire operates stores in Paris, Seoul, Tokyo, and Chengdu, with a Shanghai location planned for 2026. The designers also engage in publishing, starting with a book on artist Carlos Peñafiel, and use photography and film in their creative process.