Michèle and Olivier Chatenet of E2
Here at VSG we not only like to promote all the true vintage dealers around the world, but also like to highlight designers who use recycled materials, and who rework vintage designs to make them fresh and new. Over the past couple of years I feel very strongly that reworked vintage designs have become extremely popular and dare-I-say a trend. Now there is a new guard in town lead by new up and coming designers who rather than just using vintage as inspiration for their new collections, they actually rework vintage pieces adding embellishments, re-cutting the silhouettes, adding over prints, etc.
Husband and wife team, Michèle and Olivier Chatenet, are the design team behind the Parisian vintage-recycling label E2. Both designers have impressive creative pedigrees having leant their craft to Azzedine Alaïa, Comme des Garçons, Karl Lagerfeld, and Thierry Mugler. In their appointment-only atelier in Paris, the couple works mainly with high end vintage designer pieces from the ’30s to the ’70s. The price tags are high, but so is the workmanship. The one-off allure of their creations has attracted stars like Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna.
Some might think the idea of cutting up designer vintage is not a good idea as it naturally leaves even less vintage pieces in the world. However, the transformation brought by E2 is not disrespectful destruction as the duo use pieces that are in such a condition that they cannot be repaired. The couple will salvage appliqués, hemline beading, or any other part of a garment that can be preserved.
You can find their collection at CoutureLab.com. CoutureLab is a website started by Carmen Busquets with the premise of living in style. It caters to the discerning customer who wants known and undiscovered designer items. CoutureLab was a project Carmen was developing prior to her bold founding investment in Net-a-Porter; the world’s leading luxury fashion retail magazine online, of which she is now one of the largest shareholders.
Nice write up! I’ll be honest, I was hesitant to read this but relieved to see the designers take care to only use damaged pieces. The upcycling trend lately seems to miss the point that when a great design is still a viable item, sought after and wearable, that to maim it to make something that fits the trend of the second and strips it of its value in fashion history it no longer fits the term “upcycling”. I see so many pieces altered into something that can only be worn a few times, I can’t quite understand what is responsible about that.
These pieces still retain the original design elements and integrity while appearing fresh, will also remain timeless….and genuinely *do* rescue pieces from ending up in the landfill.
Well done.
Ang
Thanks! Yes, whenever I do write about reworked vintage I try my best to insure that the designer uses vintage materials and hopefully is using those that really can’t be repaired or cleaned as is. The duo at E2 really add a couture touch to them I think.