COLLECTION NOTE
For Autumn Winter 2024, GAUCHERE evolves an ethos of consistency and continuity through a progressive and minimalist visual vocabulary. Founder Marie-Christine Statz envisions a collection in dialogue with a modern, multi-faceted woman who seeks no compromise, blurring the lines between tailored yet sparingly cut, feminine yet fluid, formal yet casual - a sartorial second skin.
The collection is grounded in raw, foundational silhouettes inspired by Neo-Brutalism and Bauhaus architecture, realised through precision tailoring and clean, unornamented lines. There is a focus on experimental volume: at once dense and lightweight, enveloping and exposing, sharp and sensual. Storm cloud grey flannel pinstripe suiting is tailored generously, a wool and silk blend story sits closer to the body while lambskin and vegan leather jeans, shirting and outerwear add gentle rigour. Pillowy, protection-inspired leather goods gathered leather slippers and pyramid pouch bags offer snug punctuation to a collection that is both sharp and plush. Cushioned, quilted skirting and tops offer sartorial protection, frothy mohair outerwear and tailored sweater styles in beige lilac and acid yellow add unexpected vibrancy to a global palette of liquorice, cocoa, fawn, claret, and off whites.
In an evolution of oversized silhouettes, volume is swallowing, designed to provide the wearer with excess in which to be swathed. Padded stories are realised in black padded nylon and a gauzy pale green jersey. Shoulders are large yet soft; fabric is first padded, then lined, to allow for a meticulous roundness in the seam allowance. Puffier styles are balanced with slimmer lines and featherlight, monochromatic layering. Wearer interpretation is key; the lapel of a Smoking jacket can be removed, slipped over the head, and draped around shoulders. Asymmetric jackets can be buttoned into draped forms or left to swing from the structure, tops and dresses offer optional sleeves, generous trousers can be made gargantuan by unbuttoning a folded hem and wrapping kimono sleeve jacket allows an arm to slip into a trouser pocket through a discreet side seam split without adding bulk to the silhouette.