18/04/2014

Dress like we love …


Find this article in the last issue of French Provincial Magazine - Winter 2014

Meeting with Tanguy Mulliez, International License Director of Daniel Hechter,  I discovered a passion for style that goes way back.

When Tanguy evoked a quote from Christophe Blandin, the artistic director of the Daniel Hechter brand, “On s’habille comme on s’aime”, meaning we dress like we love, I knew an inspiring interview had begun. So you can imagine how happy I was to learn that Daniel Hechter, famous international French brand, was going to open a new shop in Melbourne on 16th April. And on this occasion, obviously the brand needed to be present during the Fashion Festival; a successful event with the theme, “Savoir-Vivre” (The Art of Living Well), to celebrate the exclusive partnership with the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival and the launch of Melbourne’s first dedicated Daniel Hechter store.

After eight years in Australia operating out of their first shop in Perth, it was time for Melbourne to meet and fall in love with this brand. Daniel Hechter is determined to offer his best, urban or casual, and I know it’s going to be easy for ladies and men alike to find that particular style with a price that won’t stretch the purse strings.

The French fashion statements continue to flow, “La mode: un éternel recommencement” (fashion is in a state of perpetual renewal). As true as this is, we recognise that it has a special French touch being the amazing colour, this year a unique blue. The shape changes, the suits are shortened, more fitted and we slim everything, never forgetting the entity of the brand: the tie less large with collars smaller. Daniel Hechter plays with fine materials of a high quality, 100% cotton with a synthetic touch for the function follow fashion.

This lifestyle brand prêt-à-porter for men and soon for women, Daniel Hechter commenced his designing in 1962. He started his career dressing women, six years later he was showing the same talented style in men’s fashion. In France, he left his mark when he dressed Brigitte Bardot for the French movie, Les Valseuses, then continued this show of style with Sylvie Vartan and Johnny Hallyday.

Always very close to the stars, he took these same principles to the creation of prêt-à-porter, delivering the fashion to the streets, making it accessible to all - he was definitely involved in the development of his collections. Eternally passionate about sport, he was the first designer who launched a sports collection. His love of sport has also led him to the well-known football club PSG, for whom he designed the logo. The brand still dresses the team.

After many years, Daniel Hechter is mirrored the world over and proud to be in 66 countries thanks to his strength, his positioning, his image and clientele being people 30-50 years. His premium reference brand is already projected to open shops in Adelaide and Sydney followed by a vast program to be rolled out across 10 to 15 points of sale in the next 3 years.

Now, you know you can’t resist a rendez-vous with this new shop in Melbourne and I most definitely agree with him. Well done Daniel Hechter and I can’t wait to try on your beautiful and intriguing creations.