Catherine Malandrino
1963 - Present
Bibliography
Catherine Malandrino was born in France, in 1963. During the 90's Catherine worked for the fashion houses of Dorothée Bis, Louis Féraud, Emanuel Ungaro, in Paris. Soon after meeting her business partner, Bernard Aiden, she re-launched the Diane von Furstenberg collection. She was designing for dvf during the day and her own collection at night. Her 2001 'flag' collection launched her to success. After the runway show everyone wanted a piece of it, from Madonna to John Galliano. In 2002, hit TV series “sex and the city” featured Malandrino’s soho boutique in an episode and the following day, the line outside of the store blocked the sidewalk (Catherine Malandrino). Catherine Malandrino still captures a women's image today with her feline collections.
Critical Analysis
She is a French women who is so inspired by New York, she puts on her runway shows there. Her 'Flag' collection was inspired by the 'American Dream', and only a couple months after her collection was release the tragedies of 9/11 struck. All of America joined together to show their patriotism and Malandrino's collection helped this movement. It is quite clear that Malandrino is inspired by different cultures as well as feminine women. Her designs are ultra-feminie, romantic and designed around the body of a women. Malandrino gets motivation and influence from CoCo Chanel, frequently quoting her. One of you favorites, "To be irreplaceable, you have to be always different" (Pascale).You can see definite influences from Madame Vionnet with her grecian-style dresses, soft colors and bias cut. However, Malandrino's more recent years seem geared more towards and edgier look. Influenced by designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Malandrino has added some bold and edginess to her collections. Malandrino's entire collection is ready-to-wear right off the runway. Heidi Klum says it best, "Catherine's clothes are elegant, amusing, sensual, and wearable at the same time, always with a zest of difference...I can go from a television set to a lunch, always elegant and with the feeling of being unique" (Pascale).
Future Designs
Cathrine Malandrin's designs take femineity to an entirely different level. When other major designers (i.e. Galliano) calls and says that he wants a piece of your collection to wear during the finale of his own show, it is safe to say that you are quite an influential person (Pascale). Many celebrities wear Catherine Malandrino's designs to including Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Heidi Klum Jennifer Aniston and huge Malandrino fan, Mary J. Blige, just to name a few. Catherine Malandrino will continue to be an inspiration to all designers who dress for the women's body.
Works Cited
Catherine Malandrino. About CM. 1 September 2013
<http://www.catherinemalandrino.com/about.php>.
Pascale, Richard. Catherine Malandrino. New York: Assouline, 2008.
Style Sight. Image Library: Catherine Malandrino. 1 September 2013 <http://www.stylesight.com/search/search.php#%7B%22start%22%3A%200%2C%20%22limit%22%3A%2048%2C%20%22f_limit%22%3A%205%2C%20%22q%22%3A%20%22catherine%20malandrino%22%2C%20%22facets%5B%5D%22%3A%20%5B%5D%7D>.
Catherine Malandrino. About CM. 1 September 2013
<http://www.catherinemalandrino.com/about.php>.
Pascale, Richard. Catherine Malandrino. New York: Assouline, 2008.
Style Sight. Image Library: Catherine Malandrino. 1 September 2013 <http://www.stylesight.com/search/search.php#%7B%22start%22%3A%200%2C%20%22limit%22%3A%2048%2C%20%22f_limit%22%3A%205%2C%20%22q%22%3A%20%22catherine%20malandrino%22%2C%20%22facets%5B%5D%22%3A%20%5B%5D%7D>.