Jean-Claude Jitrois

“MY BEGINNINGS WERE IN MY MOTHERS WOMB, BECAUSE THE FETUS IS AN AGGLOMERATE OF SKIN IN BECOMING. I CUT THE UMBILICAL CORD WHEN I STUDIED PSYCHOLOGY BETWEEN 1960 AND 1968, WHERE IT WAS FORBIDDEN TO FORBID. I STARTED TO CONCEIVE FASHION DURING THERAPY COURSES, WHEN I WAS CREATING ROLE PLAYS…” THIS IS HOW FASHION DESIGNER JEAN-CLAUDE JITROIS STARTED HIS CAREER. AND THIS IS ALSO HOW HE STARTED HIS INTERVIEW WITH MATE-MAGAZIN.

Leather is a very sensual texture and one of the main ingredients of Jean-Claude Jitrois’ creations. However, he does not see himself as a leather fetishist. “It (leather) veils the forms while revealing them. It covers up the body that only demands of being uncovered. If I am a fetishist, I’m a fetishist of the body and leather is only a means to celebrate the body, as I shape it like a sculptor.”

Jitrois decided to illustrate the interview with nude posed photography: ”One can say that things went backwards. A lot of artists posed nude at the beginning of their career and did everything they could to keep these pictures secret. On the contrary, I’m showing my skin late in life and I really enjoy the fact that the photos are published. At the beginning of the photo shoot, there was a little apprehension from the models who feared it would be difficult. But that anxiety disappeared very quickly and gave room to the role plays. We each played the part we had been given by Fabien Lemaire(photographer). I have to admit that we had prepared the terrain beforehand. Almost everyone knew each participant before the shoot, the models had come to the shop for fittings. During the shoot, the make-up artist and my female assistant have been very attentive while remaining discreet. Everyone was joking and felt confident. I also think that the place we picked for the shoot played a role. The white walls in the large rooms, the sun setting on the Garden of the Tuileries…there was a calm and refreshing ambiance emanating from the apartment. No, really, it went much better than I expected. If I had to, I’ll do it again joyfully.”

What’s your main trait of character:
“Fidelity”
The quality you prefer in a man?
“Endurance”
The quality you prefer in a woman?
“Wisdom”
Your main flaw?
“To have many.”
Your main quality?
“Having one: fidelity.”
Your favorite thing to do?
“Work, which is a game for me. I love to play, surrounded by a lot of people.
Your dream of happiness?
“ May it last long “ as Madame Laeticia, mother of Napoleon, used to say. “
What would be your greatest misfortune?
“To miss the exit.”

This is only a summary of the interesting interview Jean-Claude Jitrois gave to Mate-Magazin. The complete interview can be found in this months edition. -B-

Translation: Pascal Leon | photography: Fabien Lemaire | styling : Hervé Godard

MATE-MAGAZIN | BEAUTIFUL
JITROIS | BEAUTIFUL