The Seventh Guest Designer at Jean Paul Gaultier
On March 18th, Jean Paul Gaultier announced Nicolas Di Felice as the brand’s seventh guest designer, joining celebrated designers like Simone Rocha, Haider Ackermann, and Chitose Abe of Sacai. Gaultier expressed admiration for Di Felice’s boldness and creativity from the start of his career, stating, “( Nicolas）has very successfully reinterpreted the style of Courrèges while bringing in new influences on the table. You can immediately recognize what inspired him from Courrèges and what he has created.”
Revitalizing Courrèges: The Di Felice Effect
In his role as Creative Director of Courrèges, Di Felice has a clear vision to rejuvenate the brand. Despite having been appointed only three and a half years ago amidst the pandemic, Courrèges has seen its revenue double annually and its brand awareness surge. The brand has gained high-profile visibility, dressing Beyoncé for her Renaissance tour, Dua Lipa for the ’24 Grammys red carpet in a dazzling Courrèges dress, ITZY at their FW24 show, and Jennie for her personal wardrobe. And most importantly, you see real people wearing them on the street. Di Felice shared, “Since taking over, I’m convinced that what we’re doing is totally relevant today. Seeing it catch on so quickly, is very affirming”, said Di Felice.
Nicolas Di Felice’s tenure at Balenciaga and Louis Vuitton with Nicolas Ghesquière, as well as a stint with Raf Simons at Dior, refined his approach to design—balancing precision with fluidity, “My silhouettes are sharp and geometrical, yet they should be able to move sensually. Above all, I enjoy making garments.” He rejuvenates the Courrèges brand with a blend of reverence and innovation. His passion for the music and the partying scene, like his collaboration with Paris-based record store Dizonord, infuses a genuine, fresh vibe into the house.
