A LIBERATED FRANCE
This now iconic designer founded his groundbreaking house in the heady days of 1968 - a pivotal time in French history. The Parisian social uprising of 60s instigated a period of vast cultural and political upheaval and saw a genuine youth movement inspire a creative revolution that permeated into all areas of society to cultivate real change.
FASHION HOUSES
Philippe Chevallier gained notoriety as an eyewear provocateur in the late 1960’s with bold hand-crafted frames he designed for French fashion houses Lanvin, Pierre Cardin, Givenchy, YSL, as well as Bally.
“It was 1968,
we reinvented everything,
including sex”
PHOTOGRAPHY
Philippe Chevallier frames were photographed by the likes of Guy Bourdin and Jeanloup Sieff. The photograph on the left is by Guy Bourdin for French Vogue, 1972.
BOLD DESIGNS
Having sealed his reputation as an influential eyewear créateur, he went on to launch his eponymous brand focusing solely on women’s acetate sunglass frames. This frame here is the 'Mask'.
MASTER CRÈATEUR
Philippe Chevallier never sketched ideas, instead he started with the material and “sculpted” the frames by hand. He was known for his eccentric designs and details such as the whale tail tips he designed for this iconic Lanvin frame.
“I was the
créateur of eyewear
for runway.
This had never
been done before.”
JEWELLERY
Philippe Chevallier was originally a jewellery designer and in the late 1970s had his own accessories boutique on Rue de Bretagne, Paris. He was also the creator of a perfume called Via Paris.
A RARE FIND
His original designs are collected by the likes of Sir Elton John and have been known to fetch US$50,000 at auction.
AN ICON REBORN
Long a collector of Chevallier eyewear, Michael Jardine seized the opportunity to acquire the trademark some years ago. Chevallier himself, now resides in the South of France with his family, and he has made his extensive archives available for use in the revival of his eponymous brand.
“I love the freedom of designing
something with no limitations.
that is how you remain authentic
to your vision.”
BOLD AS LOVE
Bold, playful and sporty defined the original brand and these characteristics transcend into inspired silhouettes curated with respect to the past and nod to the future to articulate a philosophy that is “Bold as Love Since 1968”. This frame here is the 'Box'.
LIBERTE
Today, Philippe Chevallier is been reimagined and his joie de vivre reborn. A revitalised recognition of his avant-garde methods and innovative techniques present new challenges for modern production values.