Jérôme Dreyfuss
A Matter of Respect
A conversation with Jérôme Dreyfuss is much more than a typical fashion interview. It’s a philosophical exchange about femininity, authenticity, and an industry that often loses sight of its true purpose. We sat down with the French designer for an emotional interview about the essence of true luxury.
Text: Lisa Hollogschwandter. Photos: Jérôme Dreyfuss, Germain Chauveau
You describe your work in very emotional terms. To what extent do your feelings guide your design process?
Jérôme Dreyfuss: For me, fashion has always been a gesture of respect. It’s about understanding what it means to be a woman. I always try to create something practical that accompanies women in their everyday lives, without trying to change them. Unfortunately, fashion today has often become dictatorial. People are led to believe, “You have to wear this or that.” No! Women should simply be themselves.
It seems like these days, it's more about personality and less about perfection. Do you agree?
Absolutely! I’m inspired by women who aren’t afraid to be themselves—like Nina Hagen, Vivienne Westwood, or Sonia Rykiel. True strength lies in authenticity. After all, our differences are exactly what make us interesting.
Is the definition of luxury changing right now?
To me, luxury means craftsmanship, time, and rarity—not a logo. Major luxury brands have grown so massive that they’ve lost all sense of exclusivity. When I buy an expensive bag, I don’t want to run into someone on every street corner carrying the exact same one. We use high-quality, vegetable-tanned leather, which is a pure byproduct of the food industry. Our bags are allowed to “live” and develop their own unique patina over time.
So you deliberately design pieces that will last forever?
Exactly—I create timeless companions. The best compliment is when I see my friends’ 18-year-old daughters today, proudly carrying their mothers’ bags from 20 years ago. A bag should be like a good pair of vintage jeans: it carries your personal story and only gets more beautiful with age.
