First Circus Haute Couture Collection
January 28, 2025 Runway Show
Théâtre Mogador
Reaching the age of 50, I am now feeling completely free to reveal what has always been with me: enthusiasm, dreaming, dancing, partying… In short, everything that has driven me and set me in motion since childhood. In the house that bears my name and which I have founded 16 years ago, I don’t really design and make fashion pieces, I create characters.
Where do I find the inspiration to do this? In movies, in cartoons, in music from the 1990s. When, as a young teenager, I had become a prey to violence and harassment because of my differences, my bedroom had become my shelter. it was populated with fantastic figures: small statues of superheroes, mangas, princesses… These characters have all grown up with me, They have accompanied me in all my battles and they are still populating my imagination and the shelves of my creative studio. Today, I am putting them on stage at Théâtre Mogador in Paris, to reveal them in full light because they have always acted as protective talismans for me.
Of course, I have since discovered and acquired the techniques and know hows of Haute Couture and of the best craftsmen who surround it. I can offer today an ultra-luxury version of these characters who have given birth to more heroes. Each one of them, from the goddess in a cyborg trench coat opening the show to the luxury dealer version of the white rabbit, together with the impressive ringmaster, the “exploded “Joker, the female clown from a black and white flick or the princess who has gone through the mirror… All off them could come out of an animated film. This is what continues to fascinate me when I am looking at the metaverse: I am not only considering how to integrate into the virtual world, architectured clothing with multiple layers of fabric, I would also like to see the aesthetics of the animated films that have made us dream since childhood on real women and men living in our world .
Indeed, this is a real full show. No, this is not fashion… or what is usually expected from “regular” fashion pieces. Down with trends! Long live independent and free Haute Couture! Free to create and offer its customers legendary outfits for women and men who give themselves the freedom to acquire them and have the guts to wear them under the right circumstances.
Each look in this collection is, in fact, an original work of textile art, through the mastery in its construction, but also through the selected colors and through their incredible embellishments. I thank the craftsmen who contributed to make my fantasies come true with their exceptional technical skills, I thank the tailors and seamstresses in my workshop who have complied with all my design requirements and sewing techniques, and to the artists and friends who were kind enough to participate in this show to make it an extravagant moment. Thanks to Audrey Fleurot, Marina Viotti, Ashey Scott, Déborah François, Cédric Le Gallo and all my supermodels for a day… Whether you are opera singers, film actresses, a sculptress or film directors , your support is highly appreciated! Thanks are also going to Wilfried Bernard who directed the choreography in the show and to my dancers gathered for the event.
As the spokesman for this collective effort, and in the name of all the multiple talents gathered to bring back full excitement and fun to this Haute Couture show, please be aware that we are all only seeking to share my joy of dreaming, sketching, sewing and performing.
Julien Fournié
The Dancing Couturier
Julien Fournié Haute Couture
More than a fashion brand, Maison Julien Fournié is a luxury experience that transcends trends and seasons. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, Julien Fournié continues to redefine the world of ultra-luxury.
Julien Fournié was founded in 2009.
The history of the house is reflected in its collections, which are presented in Paris every January and July during Haute Couture Week.
For his first collection, the young couturier was awarded the Grand Prize for Creativity by the City of Paris in January 2010.
For his fourth collection, in January 2011, Julien Fournié became a “guest member” of the official calendar of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture catwalk shows. This was the first step towards recognizing Julien Fournié as a promising new brand in the circle of the great couturiers.
In January 2017, the Julien Fournié house was officially classified as “Haute Couture“. This label, protected by the French Ministry of Industry, is awarded to a few houses (only ten prestigious Haute Couture houses are currently on this list) that combine the best creativity in design and the highest quality in garment making.
Since its inception, Julien Fournié has also had the honor of being invited to show its collections at prestigious events abroad, in order to bring the couturier’s style to luxury clients from all over the world.
In March 2023, a Julien Fournié dress, worn by the actress Audrey Fleurot, entered the Grévin Museum in Paris.
In April 2023, the first retrospective of Julien Fournié’s work will be held at SCAD Lacoste in an exhibition entitled “Haute Couture un point c’est tout”.
While respecting tradition, Julien Fournié has also forged new partnerships with high-tech giants such as Apple and Tencent.
Julien Fournié has thus been able to digitize the creation, design and personalization of his haute couture pieces. He is one of the few haute couture designers to master the new digital tools.
Long regarded as a survivor of a bygone era, the haute couture market has experienced a new boom in recent years. Thanks to new technologies, Julien Fournié has been able to establish direct and unique means of communication with his clients. It is no longer a question of sending a sketch to the client for approval, as was the case in the past.
Julien Fournié has introduced a new process in which clients are no longer mere spectators of the creative process. They have become actors in the unique experience of creating a garment wherever they are.
Since December 2020, Julien Fournié has been developing a line of luxury bags and accessories. Initially, the idea was to offer handbags that could be seen in Julien Fournié shows and were previously reserved for haute couture customers.