Simon Porte Jacquemus

SUMMARY

Simon Porte Jacquemus is a French fashion designer who is popular for his minimalist yet playful approach to luxury fashion. Born on January 16, 1990, in Salon-de-Provence, France, he founded his eponymous brand, Jacquemus, in 2009 at the age of 19. The label quickly gained international acclaim for its distinct aesthetic, combining elements of French rural life with contemporary design. Jacquemus has become a prominent figure in the fashion industry, celebrated for his innovative runway shows and collaborations with major brands.

PROFILE

Simon Porte Jacquemus, born on January 16, 1990, in Salon-de-Provence, France, is a self-taught fashion designer who has redefined modern luxury with his sun-drenched, minimalist aesthetic. Raised in the picturesque town of Mallemort, his early life was steeped in the simplicity of rural France. At 18, he moved to Paris to study at the École supérieure des arts et techniques de la mode (ESMOD) but left the program to work as an assistant at Citizen K magazine. The sudden death of his mother in 2009 profoundly impacted him, prompting him to honour her memory by founding his eponymous brand, Jacquemus, in 2010.

Jacquemus’s debut collection was a tribute to his mother, named after her maiden name. He gained early attention by having friends wear his designs during Vogue’s Fashion Night Out in Paris in 2010. His breakthrough came in 2012 when he was invited to present his collection at Paris Fashion Week. Known for his “naïve” fashion, Jacquemus’s designs often feature simple cuts with original details, drawing inspiration from French cinema and his southern roots.

Over the years, Jacquemus has expanded his brand to include menswear, footwear, handbags, and hats. In 2019, he opened the restaurant “Citron” in the new Galeries Lafayette flagship on the Champs-Élysées. His 10th-anniversary show in 2019, “Le coup de soleil,” was held in a lavender field, reflecting his deep connection to his heritage. In 2022, Jacquemus opened a permanent store on Paris’s Avenue Montaigne, followed by locations in New York and London in 2024. Jacquemus’s innovative approach to fashion has earned him numerous accolades. He was a finalist for the LVMH Prize in 2014 and received the Special Jury Prize in 2015. In 2017, he was honored with the Fashion Director’s Choice Award at the Elle Style Awards.

In 2024, he became the youngest fashion designer to be named Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, France’s highest ministerial award for cultural achievement. His collaborations have further solidified his status in the fashion world. In 2022, Jacquemus partnered with Nike to launch a women’s athletic wear collection, followed by the JF1 sneakers in 2023. In 2024, he collaborated with Veuve Clicquot to reinterpret its premium cuvée, La Grande Dame 2018, showcasing his versatility and creative vision.

In 2024, Jacquemus announced a partnership with L’Oréal to launch a beauty line, marking his first foray into the beauty industry. Despite previous discussions with other companies, this collaboration with L’Oréal represents a significant step in diversifying his brand’s offerings. As of 2025, Jacquemus continues to lead his luxury brand independently, with plans to open new stores in Los Angeles and Miami. His commitment to maintaining his brand’s identity while expanding its reach underscores his vision for the future of Jacquemus.

VISION

Simon Porte Jacquemus envisions his luxury brand as a celebration of French culture and lifestyle. Drawing inspiration from his upbringing in the South of France, Jacquemus incorporates elements of rural life, such as lavender fields and wheat crops, into his collections. This connection to his roots allows the brand to offer a fresh perspective on French fashion, blending tradition with modernity. Jacquemus aims to redefine luxury fashion by prioritizing accessibility and inclusivity.

The brand’s designs are characterized by their simplicity and wearability, challenging the notion that luxury must be ostentatious. By focusing on clean lines and thoughtful details, Jacquemus creates pieces that are both elegant and approachable, appealing to a broad audience. Innovation is at the core of Jacquemus’s philosophy. The brand continually pushes the boundaries of fashion through creative runway shows, unexpected collaborations, and unique design elements.

JACQUEMUS EXECUTIVE BOARD

• Simon Porte Jacquemus – Founder and Creative Director

• Sarah Benady – Chief Executive Officer (appointed March 2025)

JACQUEMUS PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Jacquemus offers ready-to-wear collections for both men and women, characterized by minimalist designs and a focus on comfort and style. The lines include tailored pieces, casual wear, and statement garments, all reflecting the designer’s unique aesthetic. Accessories play a significant role in Jacquemus’s offerings, with the bags, shoes, and hats gaining international recognition. Iconic items such as the “Mini Chiquito” bag have become symbols of the brand’s playful approach to luxury fashion. In 2025, Jacquemus announced a partnership with L’Oréal to develop a beauty line under the Jacquemus label. This expansion into the beauty industry marks a new chapter for the brand, aiming to offer products that align with its aesthetic and values.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

In 2015, Jacquemus received the Special Jury Prize at the LVMH Prize, a prestigious award recognizing emerging talent in the fashion industry. This accolade highlighted the brand’s innovative approach and potential for future success. Jacquemus was honored with the Neiman Marcus Award for Innovation in Fashion in 2024. This award acknowledged the brand’s creative vision and impact on the fashion industry, particularly in the U.S. market. In 2024, Simon Porte Jacquemus was named Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, France’s highest ministerial award for cultural achievement. This recognition celebrated his contributions to the arts and his role in shaping contemporary French fashion

REFERENCES

• “Who Is Jacquemus, French Fashion Prodigy?”. L’Officiel. 
• “Simon Porte, créateur de Jacquemus, croit au “consommez français””. LExpress.fr 
•  “A Cheeky Peek Into the Life of Simon Porte Jacquemus”. The New York Times. 
•  “Magazine Vanity Fair France”. Vanity Fair
•  “How Jacquemus Is Taking The Fashion World By Storm”. Vogue.
• “Jacquemus, parcours d’un autodidacte de la mode”. Le Parisien
• “Jacquemus: Bigger Than You Think”. Business of Fashion.
• “Portrait de Simon Porte, le créateur de Jacquemus”. LExpress.fr 
• “Jacquemus by Simon Porte Jacquemus”. LVMH Prize.
•  “Jacquemus”. Vogue Italia.
• “ART IN FASHION: JACQUEMUS A/I 15-16 + SEBASTIAN BIENIEK”. RedMilk.
•  “Ten of Tomorrow: Simon Porte Jacquemus”. Women’s Wear Daily.
•  “The Wildest, Weirdest, Most Wonderful Shoes of 2017”. Vogue.
•  “Simon Porte Jacquemus to Unveil Men’s Line”. Women’s Wear Daily.
•  “Justin Bieber Takes a Page From Jacquemus and Wears a Really Large Hat”. Vogue.
•  “How Jacquemus Is Quickly Becoming The Go-To Designer For All Your Favourite Celebrities”. Harper’s Bazaar.
• “‘Citron’ de Jacquemus, la nouvelle adresse où tout Paris se presse – Elle à Table”. elle.fr 
• “Jacquemus célèbre ses 10 ans avec un défilé féerique dans un champ de lavande – Elle”. elle.fr (in French). 
• “Jacquemus Spring 2021 Menswear Collection”. Vogue. 16 July 2020