It’s Diversity. Koché SS19

September 26, 2018September 26, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

Christelle Kocher, just like Marine Serre, likes to keep her fashion one-of-a-kind, but suited for real life. With the designer’s signature streetwear aesthetic, Koché is the brand that makes sweatpants and hoodies in the most couture way you can imagine – think meticulous embroideries and extraordinary fabric clashes. Kocher’s spring-summer 2019 instantly reminded me of Jean Paul Gaultier’s 1994 collection, so the at-the-time controversial Les Tatouages. Just like in Gaultier’s ‘startling vision of cross-cultural harmony‘, Christelle mixed and fused cultures and ethnicities in her collection, creating a wearable ode to style diversity. There were some very literal references to Jean Paul’s collection (hopefully credited), like the tattoo motif on transparent tops. Also, I noticed some old, good Yves Saint Laurent chic here too – see the le smoking look, styled with a red flower necklace. But mostly, the collection was quintessentially Koché – easy in approach and comfortable.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.

Gold. Koché AW18

March 2, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

Christelle Kocher‘s autumn-winter 2018 collection felt the most mature up to date for the Paris-based label. It seems that Koché is slowly moving away from its street sensibility and targets a grown up customer with its brand new smokings, gold-pleated t-shirt-slash-dresses and extremely compelling eveningwear. Still, for those who don’t fully appreciate Koché’s new path, Christelle presented a number of camo-print blousons, jackets and sweatpants – eventually, that was the least exciting part of the collection. My heart beats faster for those lilac pieces, whether we’re speaking of the metallic, Helmut Lang-inspired pants or distorted knits.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.

Sport De Luxe. Koché SS18

September 27, 2017 | Design & Culture by Ed

L’Église Saint-Merry, one of the most liberally oriented churches in Paris, was the show venue for Koché‘s spring-summer 2018 collection. But that’s not the first time when the brand chooses an extraordinary venue for their show – once it was an old passage, another time a huge city mall. Mostly places that don’t attract these fashionable Parisians, but certainly do breath with the ‘real’ Parisian air. But Koché isn’t just about unusual venues. Christelle Kocher‘s label rotates around the idea of twisting streetwear with couture sensibility – and her offer keeps on growing organically, from season to season. What’s new this time around from that emerging, talented designer? The most genuine idea of reusing football shirts and jerseys for a high fashion statement I’ve seen so far. Emirate Airlines logo and Chantilly lace were all there, in a spliced-together mid-length dress. Comparing to her last seasons, Kocher looks forward to more feminine silhouettes, adding more elegant gowns in geometrical silhouettes (the black one was especially very Cristobal Balenciaga) to her brand. Going new directions and experimenting is always a fine idea – but I think keeping true to Koché’s primary aesthetic sense is a good decision to take for the designer, as she progresses.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.

Evolving. Koché Resort 2018

June 9, 2017 | Design & Culture by Ed

Although emerging designers prefer to stay away from pre-collections, Kristelle Kocher took the ambitious path. Ladies and Gentlemen, here’s the first ever resort collection coming from the Paris-based Koché. We’ve all got used to the label’s remote show venues (like vast public spaces of the French capital or Folies Bergères) that helped Kristelle build and envision her label’s street identity. Kocher’s pre-collection proves that Koché has its design codes that continue to evolve. The idea of streetwear with haute human touch is here for good. But it’s not about your average hoodies, oh no. Expect intricately embellished, yet loose (track)suits; fleecy sweaters made of different gauge yarns; feminine feather inserts and boas clashed with athletic jackets. The look-book is filled with white, black and electric shades of blue and coral red – you can choose toned or daring, according to your mood.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki (backdrop: ‘Raindrops’ installation by Urs Fischer).

Folies Bergère. Koché AW17

March 1, 2017March 1, 2017 | Design & Culture by Ed

Folies Bergère is a Parisian music hall that remembers the moment Josephine Baker appeared on the scene ‘dressed’ in bananas only, playing her role of Fatou. A century later, Christelle Kocher taps this remarkable landmark as her autumn-winter 2017 show venue, opening a new, much more mature chapter of her brand. The atmosphere of the music hall significantly differed from previous Koché venues, which used to be much more into the streets and the least “fashion” districts of the city, while Folies Bergère, although forgotten by the Parisians, oozes with historic chic. And that was a quite well-considered background for the label’s neo-decadent clothes. Kocher continues her signature streetwear-meets-couture style, sending down a line of models wearing varsity jackets with intricate embroideries and feather trimmings. Sensual lace peeked out from beneath über-cool baseball shirts and loose shorts were treated with posh satin. This season, Koché is a go-to brand for dresses (in fuchsia, specifically), and not only. There were even heels in the show, the first time throughout the brand’s four season timeline. Progress is something the wave of new designers in Paris praise.