Legendary Retailer Joseph Ettedgui Dies at 71
British retailer and designer Joseph Ettedgui passed away Thursday at the age of 71. Ettedgui had been battling cancer for several years.
Ettedgui, who came to London in the 1950’s and began career as a hairdresser, fell in love with fashion after meeting Kenzo in the 60’s whilst in Paris at the shows. His interest in clothing quickly exceeded his desire to style hair, and he promptly opened his first shop, just underneath his salon. Ever since, Joseph has become a required stop for any informed shopper traveling or living in London. The store features fashion’s greats: Alaia, Celine, YSL, Comme Des Garcons; as well as some of the industry’s favorite new comers: Alexander Wang, Philip Lim, and VPL, to name a few. Each garment has always been thoughtfully chosen, as if he was curated an exhibit of his favorite pieces of art.
His own designs were equally thought out, without appearing over-designed or meticulously styled. His clothing may not have been street stoppers, but Joseph’s gorgeous sweaters and wel-tailored pants exuded a sort of quiet chic-ness like none other, making his pieces staples in the modern woman’s wardrobe. “An entire wardrobe can’t be made up of only designer clothes” Joseph once said. “People need good trousers and good shirts that they wear all the time.”
Nicholas Foulkes of The Independent summed up Joseph’s persona perfectly:
“With his tousled hair, slightly mischievous smile and cigar, Joseph was a true Londoner even though he never shed his French accent. I believe that Joseph will come to be regarded as one of the handful of men who shaped London taste in the last quarter of the 20th century and who helped establish chic London today. However much you thought you knew about the better things in life, Joseph would always know a little artisan or recondite craftsman tucked away in some obscure corner of Europe who made things which enhanced life’s pleasures…But more than a paragon of good taste, he was a charming man and a good, kind friend. He will be greatly missed.”“I like to dress people,” Joseph told This Is London, “Not to make them fashionable.” Whether consciously or not, Joseph did both. He is credited as having won London’s Woman magazineContemporary Collection award at the Rover British Fashion Awards in 2001. award in 1985, as well as the Contemporary Collection award at the Rover British Fashion Awards in 2001.
Article from Styleite
Photo courtesy of Vogue.com
No comments:
Post a Comment