Name: Felicie Corre
Hometown: Paris
Now living in: Shanghai
Brand: CHINOISES
Tell us about CHINOISES
CHINOISES is a bridge between my Parisian roots and my current home Shanghai, where I can express my love and imagination for the fashion and beauty of China. CHINOISES means ‘Chinese Girls’ in French, and 西花 mimics the pronunciation in French. CHINOISES is the dream combination of my Parisian taste and the local Chinese craftsmanship.
What material do you use?
Silk, brocade, denim, cotton, polyester, silver, leather
Where do you draw your inspiration?
First, fairytales of ancient China made of phoenix, dragons, peonies…and silk of shimmering colors that have always been in my imagination as a Western girl. Then, the Shanghai and Hong Kong vintage looks that we can find in 1940s advertising which have a touch of American influence in the shapes and hairstyles. And finally these refined crafts of Chinese minorities whom many of which are about to disappear.
I can also say that I draw inspiration from my mother and grandmas’ style, the closest fashionistas I have had in my life. They taught me Parisian chic and mix & match.
How are your pieces made?
Both hand-made ( Miao batik and silk embroidery) and by machine.
What inspired you to start CHINOISES?
After 15 years at Hermes in France and then China, my curiosity inspired me to embark on this new adventure in China where I began to revisit & research Chinese craftsmanship to then highlight it with my Parisian sensibility.
Who should wear CHINOISES?
Men & women from 16 years old. Individuals who’s looking for niche, timeless, and authentic pieces, who may also appreciate Asian touch as well.
What are some of the projects you are most proud of?
Miao minority collection. Their craftmanship is the starting point of CHINOISES adventures. This collection also made us win the 2020 Jinji’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of China prize.
How has Chinese culture shaped your work?
Journeying across China for the last ten years, I filled every corner of my home with an eclectic curation of uniquely crafted objects and outfits discovered during my travels. It was my natural inclination to refashion these treasures and know-how into pieces I could actually integrate into my modern lifestyle.
What is your dream for your brand?
First, sharing my passion for China to the world by expending CHINOISES offer in both fashion and home ware collection.
More practically, developing predominantly direct-to-consumer offline and online with a growing network of qualitative wholesale partners to drive sales and market positioning.
What should we be looking forward to seeing from you next?
The new table ware collection in collaboration with a well-known artist.
And we are raising funds to develop scale up the brand.
Discover CHINOISES
WeChat: CHINOISES西花
Weibo：CHINOISES西花
RED：CHINOISES
Instagram：__CHINOISES__
