Interview – Two brands, two pairs. Together they sign the total set, inclusive and environmentally responsible. Designers Esther Manas and Ditte Refstrap talk to us about love and fashion.
It’s an adventure that fashion knows a lot about, and one that has a name: collaboration. But here, this jargon has nothing to do with posturing or marketing gimmicks. It is aimed at a sincere and aesthetic fusion of the universe of Gani and Esther Manas, which have many points in common. Starting with a love story that hinges on these two brands. Whether Danish or French, these two labels are run by couples. Ditte & Nicolaj Reffstrup were love at first sight dance floor before offering a style that breaks the stereotypes of Nordic fashion. Esther Manas and Balthazar Delepierre met on the benches of La Cambre in Brussels before deciding to explode stereotypes with one-size-fits-all sexy pieces that adapt to all silhouettes. Together, the two couples sign a fun, and of course, inclusive and eco-responsible capsule collection. On this occasion, Esther Manas and Ditte Refstrup talk to us about love and fashion.
Ditte Reffstrup and Ester Manas Dr
Madame Figaro – How did the desire to collaborate arise?
Ditte Reffstrup – That’s really the energy that Esther and Balthazar give. This talent they have has given me so much creativity.
Esther Manas – From my side, I think it was also a matter of energy. It’s easy to launch a so-called “cool” clothing brand these days. There are social networks, we can inspire, even, for some, copy and paste. We always find a way to create. But at Ganni, which is a very, very cool brand, creativity isn’t just for networks, it’s embodied. When we saw the work of Dite and his whole team, we said to ourselves that this brand, apart from being beautiful and cool, was refreshing and above all responsible. Just go to Gunny’s offices (in Copenhagen, editor’s note) to realize that everyone is environmentally responsible. Not so in Paris, Milan or New York.
Do you also have a similar view on fashion…
Dr– When we met, I was struck by the fact that we actually had the same fashionable love-hate relationship. It’s a passionate job that we love to do, the people in the industry are very interesting. But it is also a very exclusive world from which it is so easy to feel rejected. Overall, it’s not a very welcoming industry. And our will to change that is certainly one of the values that unites us. Just like our shared desire for stability. For this collection, for example, we worked with materials we already had in our warehouses and archives.
EM:– We also run a house with our guide as a couple, which is quite rare in the industry. I think Dite said it all, inclusivity has been at the heart of Ghani’s goals for over a decade, and on our part it has been from the beginning. Working with them, we have learned to be even more environmentally responsible. They know this subject and this side of fashion, so it’s very rewarding.
“We recognize the signature of the Esther Manas house, but if you look closely, it’s Gann’s outline. »
Ester Manas, Creative Director of Ester Manas
Let’s talk a little about love… If you could only keep one piece from the collection we would call it “heart attack»which would be
EM:.- It is difficult! (is laughing)
Dr– I think that if you had to force me, I would choose the one that really bears the signature of Esther Manas.
EM:.- Ok… but the blue one or the black one?
Dr.- Oh, no, I can’t choose, I took both in my suitcase. (laughs) Okay, let’s say the blue one.
EM:.- And I, the black one. It represents the perfect balance of our two universes. At first glance, we recognize the signature of Esther Manas House. But on closer inspection, it’s Ghani’s silhouette. We’ve also removed the openings, the usual cutouts, to make it even more recognizable. The fabric is also Ganni, so it’s really the birth of a love story between our two brands.
And now, if we were talking about one-sided love, what about this dress you love, but it doesn’t fit you?
Dr.- Maybe these old Levis jeans that I bought when I was thirteen. I love it so much but I obviously don’t fit in anymore… But I love it.
EM:.- I love sequins. I have tons of sequin pieces and love them, but it looks absolutely horrible on me. Sometimes I try them on in the morning, I convince myself in front of the mirror, then I meet Balthazar’s gaze and say to myself “no, good” (laughs).
And if you’re feeling nauseous, what will be that favorite piece you lost, threw away, or damaged?
EM:.- I had this bracelet that belonged to my grandmother. I lost it at a huge party in Brussels. And even though it was six or seven years ago when I was a party girl, I’m still sad about it. If someone finds it, bring it to me. (is laughing)
Dr.- One day I took a suit from my father. It dated back to when he was still young. And I lost it. It’s the only thing he kept in his cupboards, purely out of nostalgia. I was so ashamed that I lost him, and it still makes me sad. It was a really classic, black suit. I was young, so him too big on me. I lent it to someone popular that I really wanted to be friends with and couldn’t say no to, and that person lost it.
“I grew up in a village where there were no luxury boutiques or fashion magazines. We had MTV and that’s where I got all my inspiration. »
Ditte Reffstrup, Creative Director of Ganni
The most precious garment in your eyes, the most precious, what will be your eternal love?
Dr.- There are some iconic Gan pieces that I don’t think I’ll ever wear again but have so many memories attached to them. I remember an episode where two celebrities wore the same green dress of our brand and posed together. Everyone in the office went crazy. Such a moment and clothes are not forgotten.
EM:.- It wouldn’t be a piece of my wardrobe either, but rather a brand. I think it would be the first ruffled shirt that we really did together, Baltazar and I, with four hands. It’s like our first child (laughs). He wasn’t in yet. network like today I think it was cotton…yes, it really is a first child.
This first love that got you into this business.
Dr.- So I’m not saying that because I’m in Paris, but maybe Jean Paul Gaultier.
EM:.- Oh, yes?
Dr– Yes, you know, I grew up in a village where there were no luxury boutiques or fashion magazines. We had MTV and that’s where I got all my inspiration. I remember he made the costumes for the tour Blonde ambition About Madonna, I was hooked. I was like “wow, this is really a new vision.” I had never seen anything like it. I still love what she does, plus I have vintage pieces in my closet.
EM:– I would say that for me it was Martin Margiela, and I’m not saying that because I’m from Brussels (laughs). I turned to fashion quite late. Finally, by “late”, I mean it wasn’t a childhood dream. When I started, it wasn’t even about making clothes, it was about making something with my hands. And Margiela, I realized that she doesn’t just do fashion, she has a real proposition. Later I also fell in love with Mathieu Blasi, who was also at Margiela at the time, so it comes down to the same thing.
Your childhood love of clothes.
Dr.- For me it was Levi’s, the jeans brand. Again, I think MTV had something to do with this choice (laughs). They had these commercials that were absolutely iconic and that I loved. I couldn’t afford to buy clothes from them, so I worked for hours so I could buy jeans. I still remember the emotion I felt when I went to the store to pick it up.
EM:– I come from the south of France and my teenage years are the years of 2010 with the corresponding fashion. I didn’t live in a big city either, so my dream would have to be somewhere between Nike and Lacoste. (laughs) I had Nike TNs and a light pink box, it was… delicious. (is laughing):
The piece that might be your holiday favorite that you wear all summer long and put in the closet as soon as September rolls around.
EM- I believe I have both. The first is a hat. It’s comfortable, but I look like an egg when it’s on my head, so I save it for the beach. The second is a short dress, so short you could say it’s a belt.
DR- There are bikinis, of course, and fingering. They are so comfortable…but I force myself not to wear them to the office. This summer it will be our collaboration swimwear, of course.
This brand that is not yours, but you would like to be its author?
EM:– Gunny, of course. Very easy.
Dr– Esther Manas! But let me say that I think that you Esther, you will one day be the artistic director of another house. You’ll always have your stamp, but you’ll also be creative elsewhere. Not necessarily immediately, but one day, these are my predictions.
Source: Le Figaro
