Isobel Marant, shown here on the left, was born in 1967 in Paris. She studied at the Studio Bercot school which has turned out so many well-known French fashion designers.

Isobel's mother is the German designer Christa Fiedler.

She started her career as assistant to Bridget Yorke at Yorke and Cole. She also worked with Marc Ascoli, the husband and partner of Martine Sitbon, Michel Klein, Chloe as well as for Yohji Yamamoto.

In 1988 she started up on her own, and brought out her first collection in 1989 of jewellery and accessories. In 1990, she started womenswear and in 1995 started sending her collections down the runway at Paris Fashion Week. She now makes menswear also.

In 1997 Isobel was awarded the Howard Prize. Here on the right is an outfit from her 1997 collection.

Her clothes are a mix of the past and present, taken from a variety of ethnic inspirations, African, Indian and Antillean. Her womenswear is funky and informal using strange fabrics like boiled flannel with a lycra base.

Isobel Marant shows her collections every season during Paris Fashion Week. On the left is an outfit from her Fall/Winter 2003 show.

This is a satin dress which has been cut into uneven size pieces and then stitched together with large stitches to give an effect of patchwork.

Spring/Summer 2004

The Federation Francaise de la Couture gave her a slot on the first day of Paris Fashion Week in October 2003.

She sent out a breezy collection that went from micro-short skirts and string bikinis to clinging ankle-length dresses and knee-length slacks rolled up in cuffs. Chiffon and sheer tops and abstract print skirts were worn with paint-spreckled leggings, and her colour palette included blue and deep purple.

Wide leather belts were wound around the models, and long scarves trailed along behind them. Intricate layering and cut-outs added a rich dimension to the overall lightness of the look. An outfit from her Spring/Summer 2004 collection is shown on the right.

Fall/Winter 2004 ready-to-wear

Isobel Marant presented her Fall collection in Paris during Fashion Week of March 2004. One of her evening dresses from the show is pictured on the left.

Many of her creations were designed to be worn in several different ways, such as a vest sewn into a garment but with buttons at the back. Woolen capri pants, leather pants, little black dresses and a fluffy pink rabbit fur coat. Her collection was expressive and creative, emphasizing the feminine and sexy aspects of a woman's personality.

Spring/Summer 2005

Isobel presented her Spring collection during Paris Fashion Week in October 2004. An outfit from the collection is shown on the right.

Her coats with sparkling detail and wide belts were appealing. Gorgeous beaded tops and denim skirts were joined by mini-trench coats and sleeveless denim jumpers. One dazzling tight little black skirt was really sexy.

Ready to Wear
Autumn/Winter 2005
Paris March 2005

Isabel presented her Autumn/Winter 2005 collection in Paris in March 2005, and it was a very successful show. One of the very beautiful tops with intricate detailing, is shown on the left.

2005