{"id":6663,"date":"2023-05-23T08:02:06","date_gmt":"2023-05-23T08:02:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/techclot.com\/index.php\/2023\/05\/23\/joseph-duclos-creative-director-ramesh-nair-gives-quiet-luxury-a-voice-forbes\/"},"modified":"2023-05-23T08:02:06","modified_gmt":"2023-05-23T08:02:06","slug":"joseph-duclos-creative-director-ramesh-nair-gives-quiet-luxury-a-voice-forbes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/techclot.com\/index.php\/2023\/05\/23\/joseph-duclos-creative-director-ramesh-nair-gives-quiet-luxury-a-voice-forbes\/","title":{"rendered":"Joseph Duclos’ Creative Director, Ramesh Nair Gives Quiet Luxury A Voice – Forbes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Joseph Duclos’ Creative Director, Ramesh Nair Gives Quiet Luxury A Voice – Forbes<\/a><\/p>\n

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Ramesh Nair took up design at a time when most of the students his age where interested in other courses. Having grown up in a military family, a career as a designer seemed like an odd choice. So, he took to the sciences. But after graduation, Ramesh decided to pursue the creative path, and enrolled at then-newly opened National Institute of Fashion Technology in New York. He graduated in 1989 along with the first batch of alumni from the school.<\/p>\n

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He would later be known as the designer whose genius can bring heritage brands back to life. According to Ramesh, it\u2019s a career direction that was by no means pre-charted on his career map. \u201cI never really thought about it that way,\u201d he begins. \u201cBut I I\u2019ve always found it interesting.\u201d Stints at Yohji Yamamoto, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Christian Lacroix prepared him for the road ahead. Ramesh later joined Herm\u00e8s under the creative direction of Martin Margiela where he designed for the womenswear line.<\/p>\n

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In 2010, he was appointed Creative Director for French heritage brand, Moynat. His success at revitalizing the luxury leather goods label cemented Ramesh Nair\u2019s distinction as the \u201cresurrection guru.\u201d At the height of the pandemic, he took the reins as Creative Director for 269-year-old Royal Leather Manufacture, Joseph Duclos<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Couture, Craft, And A 269-Year History<\/h2>\n
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Saint Claire Messenger Bag by Joseph Duclos<\/p>\n

<\/fbs-accordion>JOSEPH DUCLOS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cI got into fashion because of my love for couture. Everything about it leads back to craft and the artisan,\u201d shares Ramesh. This appreciation and understanding for the wearable art form now informs his process. Whereas most designers create sketches, the creative director prefers to drape and work closely with the artisan. \u201cWhen I was offered the post at Joseph Duclos, I thought my days designing bags were over. At that time, I wanted to create clothes,\u201d the designer confessed.<\/p>\n

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When Joseph Duclos CEO, Frank Dahan, shared with him the rich tanning history of the brand, Ramesh was immediately drawn. Founded in the late 1700s, Joseph Duclos was established in Lectoure, France. The tannery, which brought together the most gifted artisans from the around the country and all across Europe, was also named by King Louis XV as Royal Leather Manufacture. Ramesh adds, \u201cThe first thing I did was dig deep and go back to the 17th and 19th Century. What was leather used for during those times? They were used by military and royalty as coin purses, dispatch cases, gun powder pouches, furniture and coverings.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The Fontelie Bag by Joseph Duclos<\/p>\n

<\/fbs-accordion>JOSEPH DUCLOSE<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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The Joseph Duclos Boutique in Paris<\/p>\n

<\/fbs-accordion>Marie-Line Sina<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As he would if he were working on garments, Ramesh sat down with the artisans. Working in a collaborative manner, they integrated, refined, and pushed the boundaries in tanning techniques, hand stitching and other specialized metiers<\/em>. \u201cWe had no technical drawings except for the closure,\u201d he discloses. Ramesh anchored designs of the first Joseph Duclos collection on historical context and deep respect for the savoir-faire that, he emphasizes, belongs to the craftsmen.<\/p>\n

It Takes 20-45 Hours To Make One Joseph Duclos Bag<\/h2>\n
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The Diane Bag by Joseph Duclos is quiet luxury embodied.<\/p>\n

<\/fbs-accordion>JOSEPH DUCLOS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ramesh clarifies that his intention has never been to create an ultra-luxury brand. \u201cIt\u2019s always been about revival of craft. It\u2019s about bringing back that special connection between the product and its maker. It\u2019s going back to creating well-made products. It takes between 20-45 hours to make one Joseph Duclos bag. In that sense, artisans have shared a part of themselves to the customer.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Diane L20 Bag by Joseph Duclos<\/p>\n

<\/fbs-accordion>JOSEPH DUCLOS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Diane Bag<\/strong>, follows the form of 18th Century coin purses and flaps of ceremonial dispatch cases. It was handcrafted using the finest heritage calfskin leathers with a natural treatment. It\u2019s name is inspired by the hunting goddess, Diana, expressed through the intricate arrow-shaped clasp. \u201cI was obsessed with the closure. The design of the bag had gone through four to five iterations. We continue to tweak this into other variations,\u201d explains Ramesh.<\/p>\n

According to the Creative Director, more tweaks are being made on the Saint Claire Bag.<\/strong> A design expression that lends pared down refinement and deep sense of appreciation for history, this bag and its iterations, utilize tanning methods that date as far back as the Age of Enlightenment. The combination of hard Heritage leather the contrasts with soft Arpege nubuck, bring contemporary flair to a style inspired by gun powder bags used by royalty. \u201cThe element of surprise is in the base material,\u201d opines Ramesh.<\/p>\n

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Saint Clair Messenger Bag by Joseph Duclos<\/p>\n

<\/fbs-accordion>JOSEPH DUCLOS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Fontelie Bag by Joseph Duclos <\/p>\n

<\/fbs-accordion>JOSEPH DUCLOS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Lectoure Leather Tote by Joseph Duclos <\/p>\n

<\/fbs-accordion>JOSEPH DUCLOS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Other designs that have become staples of an elegant yet understated wardrobe include the Font\u00e9lie and Lectoure. Joseph Duclos\u2019 product range has also extended to fragrances and accessories. \u201cI\u2019m not against going into home or other lifestyle categories. In a heritage house like Joseph Duclos, the intention is to keep the tradition of craft going. To respect it and the artisans. It\u2019s a long haul commitment.\u201d<\/p>\n