Rochas Unveils a New Vision with Alessandro Vigilante at the Helm

Change is afoot in the world of high fashion as Rochas welcomes Alessandro Vigilante into the role of Creative Director. The French luxury house, owned by Interparfums since 2015, is ushering in a new era by appointing the Italian designer to lead the artistic direction of its ready-to-wear collections. This move comes as Rochas, under Interparfums' ownership, takes direct control of its fashion operations, marketing, communication, and licenses since July.

Alessandro Vigilante, a seasoned designer with stints at renowned fashion houses such as Dolce & Gabbana and Gucci, is set to spearhead the next steps in repositioning Rochas' fashion division.

Taking over from Charles de Vilmorin, who steered the women's ready-to-wear collections since 2021, Vigilante steps into the role with a vision to infuse modernity into the charismatic, sophisticated, and timeless beauty that has been Rochas' DNA since Marcel Rochas founded the brand in 1925. The designer, who had already been contributing to Rochas, will debut his first collection for the Fall-Winter 2024/2025 season in February during Paris Fashion Week.

Hailing from Torremaggiore in the Puglia region of Italy, the 41-year-old Alessandro Vigilante initially pursued contemporary dance before shifting gears toward fashion. His formative years at the Milanese school IED caught the eye of Vogue Italia and the Camera della Moda (CNMI) in 2007, leading to a showcase of his work at Fashion Week. Vigilante then honed his skills with major fashion houses before venturing out on his own. His journey included a seven-year tenure at Dolce & Gabbana, a stint at Gucci, and overseeing the Philosophy line at Aeffe. In September 2020, he launched his eponymous brand while concurrently contributing to the rising Milanese label, The Attico.

Vigilante's background in contemporary dance, influenced by choreographer Merce Cunningham, as well as his passion for art, photography, and cinema, shapes his design approach. Known for his affinity for geometric shapes and form-fitting materials that accentuate the body's curves, Vigilante often employs sharp cuts to create essential and characterful pieces. He will continue working on his own brand, initiated in digital format during Milan Fashion Week in February 2021 due to pandemic-related constraints.

For Interparfums, a company specializing in perfume licenses, overseeing Rochas' ready-to-wear segment is a strategic move to enhance the brand's image cohesively and communicate its essence effectively. To achieve this, the group will continue collaborating with Him Co, an Italian company born from the ashes of OLG, which has been managing Rochas' fashion section under license since 2021, handling everything from production to distribution. While the license concludes on January 1, 2024, Him Co will persist as a partner supplier, responsible for product development and manufacturing for women's ready-to-wear collections, accessories, bags, and shoes.

In a statement, the CEO of Interparfums expressed enthusiasm for Alessandro Vigilante's arrival, praising his work characterized by "elegance, modern femininity, and a constant pursuit of women's bodily expression." As Rochas charts a new course under Vigilante's creative guidance, the fashion world eagerly awaits the unfolding of this chapter in the brand's storied history.