With a common haute-couture gene and a shared pursuit and understanding of sports, the female sports brand Jelenew has signed Christelle Kocher to bring a new season of products. In addition to owning her eponymous brand, Christelle Kocher is also the current Artistic Director of CHANEL’s atelier, MAISON LEMARIÉ.
The Jelenew design team with extensive experience in haute couture techniques, has developed solutions to apparel fitting issues using Jelenew’s proprietary CurveTec™ technology. This technique not only reduces friction during motion but also provides sufficient muscle protection and power generation. Additionally, Jelenew utilizes curvilinear zoning techniques to match the suitable technical fabrics for different functional areas, creating a smart air conditioning system that addresses temperature and humidity issues. Jelenew prevents friction and discomfort in sensitive areas by utilizing top-notch seamless fitting processes, frictionless flat-stitching, and scientific seam placement. Kocher’s contribution brings the latest design concepts and insights from the haute couture field to Jelenew, integrating her talent in the field of fashion and sports.
Kocher joining forces with Jelenew brings the latest design concepts and the latest technology in the field of haute couture. She also integrates her passion and interpretation of sportswear into Jelenew. This collection draws inspiration from the autobiography of female aviator Beryl Markham, West with the Night. Like cycling, flying is an experience that blends the grandeur of nature with the excitement of speed. The bicycle inspired the Wright brothers to invent the aeroplane, and now, cycling gives us the courage to experience the world through speed and solitude. Jelenew believes this courage to explore is the fulcrum for people to find balance with their external environment and relationships.
Following author Beryl Markham’s narration, we experience the gravity-defying speed, passing by time and space. Her solo flight journey across the African wilderness transcended the era’s expectations of what a woman should do and be. Through her experience, we converse with all women courageous enough to explore themselves and life’s potential.
Kocher’s collaborative collection with Jelenew explores products inspired by aviation and sportswear elements, extracting deep browns, greens, and oranges from the African landscape, and incorporating classic black, white, and grey contrasts to create a collision of materials and silhouettes. It not only integrates the narrative from the book but also creates a brand-new outlook for Jelenew, taking structural technology and demanding craftsmanship to the field of sports apparel.
Jelenew invites talented creative directors from top luxury brands to collaborate to draw attention to the sport of cycling with unique design ideas. Kocher’s mastery of couture design harmoniously blends diverse design techniques and elements. The elegant white leather helmets she constructed for Kanye West left a mark in pop culture, her Klimt-style AC Milan jerseys bring a unique touch to women’s luxury brands. Jelenew believes her talent and insights are crucial for an innovative collection inspired by bike racing. Like Thelma and Louise in the movie Thelma & Louise, this partnership announces the initiation of a journey and a new chapter for haute couture cycling and sports apparel.
