French Rebellion opens showroom until March 10 

By

Chenu Alexis

Published
Mar 5, 2015

For the past year, the founders of the agency French Rebellion have invited twenty young French designers, plus a few brands that are somewhat better known, to attack foreign markets, especially the United States. The "full-service marketplace" is present at D&A in Los Angeles, at Coterie in New York and in Paris, and it’s planning to expand into Istanbul and Tokyo as well.

At the heart of the agency are three complementary fields of expertise. There is Murielle Bourdette-Menaut, a former designer at the scarf brand Delicious Freaks and fashion consultant guide (So Parisienne and then freelance); Stéphane Dago, the creator of Apéros Panorama in Paris and co-founder of the New York events agency Coco & Pollock (nightlife); and Julia Simon, originally from France, but having moved to the United States, founder of the New York showroom Edite, which represents Vanessa Bruno. 

The showroom is conceived as a "trade show within a trade show, presenting designers as if in a concept store, over a surface area of over 3200², while willing to break traditional ideas about decor and atmosphere." French Rebellion introduces twenty designers through trade shows per year, and offers young brands, through its fashion incubator services, a partnership over the course of at least two seasons. 

Beginning with French designer brands included as part of French Rebellion, there’s Margaux Lonnberg, scarves from Inouitoosh, the swimsuit line Albertine, the women’s ready-to-wear brand Paradis Perdus, Des Petits Hauts, Suzy Winkle and Amish Boyish by Nadège Winter. The showroom, meanwhile, will feature a more international selection for the French trade shows. 

From now until March 10 at 11-12 rue Vauvilliers (1st arrondissement), the showroom will present the new capsule collection from Amish Boyish as well as furs by Quentin Veron. International brands will be well represented with footwear by American Julia Haart, women’s designs by New Yorker Joseph Singh, British brand Hardware Ldn and Colombian jewelry designer Flor Amazona. Some of the pieces will also be offered for immediate sale. 

Before the upcoming summer shows, the "fashion nomads" from French Rebellion should also be organizing other events, including a planned partnership with Colette, while expanding their network of permanent showrooms.