Duality and femininity at the heart of Vaillant

Alice Vaillant, a former Paris Opera dancer, has turned her experience into a source of inspiration for her collections. Accompanied by a wealth of experience at Jean-Paul Gaultier and Nina Ricci, as well as fashion studies in Montreal and Paris, Alice has developed a unique and daring vision of femininity.

The rise of Vaillant

Crédit photos :© Vaillant">

"When you no longer have the fire and passion, it's very difficult to continue a profession like dancing. I no longer wanted to be the performer and put forward, but rather to be behind the scenes and somewhat the choreographer of my collections ", Alice Vaillant expresses. So she turned her back on dance to embrace her new passion in fashion. She took the plunge and quickly received positive feedback and orders, particularly in the United States, marking the start of the adventure.

She points out that she "was spotted on Instagram, which seems more difficult today with the increasing number of brands that are present there", referring to the rapidly changing landscape of fashion and social networks. Beyond social networks, the importance of French cultural policy support for fashion was not lost on Alice Vaillant: "I was a winner of the Appel à Projet Mode et Métiers d'Art de Mode, for emerging brands it's great to feel accompanied and supported by the Ministry of Culture, it was a huge help to me."

An aesthetic of contrasts

Photo credit :© Vaillant">

His 10 years' experience as a dancer profoundly shaped the aesthetic sense and fashion vision of the designer, who was in contact with the Paris Opera workshops from a very early age, mixing traditional costumes with sportswear and therefore, technical clothing. This ambivalence is omnipresent in Vaillant's soul. Indeed, Alice creates geometric and architectural silhouettes, often contrasted by fluid fabrics: "I work a lot with duality and contrast, I always start collections with colors and materials, that's what appeals to me the most, I go by instinct". This intuitive approach manifests itself in collections that play with opposites: feminine and masculine, movement and constraint, openness and rigor. Lace is also central to her creative DNA, blending minimalism and complexity:"obviously, lace is a signature code of the brand, which I've been working on for 4 years and which I'm trying to use in a more unstructured and contemporary way", she stresses.

She draws her inspiration from the way she looks at the women around her, capturing their essence:"what's important for me is to make clothes that are really wearable in everyday life, to dress women (...) and I try to bring a bit of the conceptual and futuristic into my collections". Her creative ideas also come from "memories, feelings, childhood nostalgia, moments I've lived through... I love observing people, it's a mixture of lots of feelings and above all a lot of instinct. Making collections for me is almost like therapy", reveals Alice, making Vaillant a brand as personal as it is universal.

Alice Vaillant, the collections choreographer

Photo credit :© Vaillant">

Alice Vaillant has set herself apart not only by her talent, but also by her determination and ability to navigate the demanding world of fashion. From the outset, she had to learn to manage all aspects of her business, from design to production. In her Paris studio, she and her 15-strong team create all the designs and prototypes for the collections. Working with 3 French ateliers and several in Europe, she discusses the world of manufacturing in particular: "it's a lot of time, meetings and negotiations. You have to earn respect, especially at 24. I didn't know much... I went through some very complicated times, but it taught me a lot. I loved going into the workshops, meeting the manufacturers, even though today I have someone to take care of that". She adds of her manufacturers, delighted: "It's a bond that has grown, it's beautiful because today they're happy, they trusted me when I had nothing and today the orders are increasing".

The challenge doesn't stop with brand design. The designer building up collections of around 110 pieces explains:"as we have the pre-collection, 70% of the pieces are developed in 3 months. The system sets the pace. Of course, as a young emerging brand, you have to be able to keep up with this pace, there are 4 highlights in the year (...) we also get requests from celebrities, either we lend them the look, or we develop made-to-measure here. Very often last minute and of course often at the time of the fashion show". A Design rhythm to keep, where it's all about reinventing yourself while imposing your identity.

Alice Vaillant's hard work and talent have paid off, with accolades such as the Prix de la Ville de Paris in 2023 and her place as a finalist in the ANDAM Prize. Vaillant embodies a bold, modern vision of women's fashion. Through an aesthetic of contrasts and an intuitive approach, the designer continues to push the boundaries of luxury ready-to-wear. With growing recognition and an international presence, Vaillant is asserting its place in the fashion industry. Dance always remains a source of inspiration for Alice, for whom "it would be a dream to be able to dress opera dancers, even parade there...".

For more information: https://vaillantstudio.com/