In November of 2024 , I found myself leaning into Erté’s world while developing a new collection — not by recreating his illustrations literally, but by embracing the spirit of theatricality he made feel so effortless. The pieces ended up landing in this fun space between camp and chic: simple, elongated lines paired with plunging necklines, a tight, intentional color palette, and accessories that nod to flapper glamour without becoming full costume. It’s definitely a little over the top, but in a controlled, edited way — the kind of drama that knows exactly what it’s doing.

Erté’s influence shows up in the silhouettes and attitude more than anything else. His love for elongated proportions, gleaming surfaces, and stylized femininity pushed me to play with shape and fantasy in a way that still feels wearable. There’s a bit of sparkle, a bit of tongue-in-cheek glamour, and a sense of performance built into the clothes — all rooted in the idea that fashion can be both beautiful and knowingly exaggerated.

And, of course, Erté’s own philosophy sits underneath it all. His line — “I have a horror of the banal” — became an anchor for the collection. It’s why the pieces feel bold, playful, and a touch dramatic, even with their clean lines and limited palette. It’s fashion with a wink, but still grounded in elegance — exactly the balance Erté always seemed to live in.