Josephus Thimister
Encyclopedia
Josephus Melchior Thimister (born September 16, 1962) is a Belgian interior decorator and noted fashion designer who launched his eponymous fashion label, THIMISTER in 1997. In 2001, the editor-in-chief of Vogue USA Anna Wintour
named Josephus Thimister as one of the twenty-first best fashion designers. In 2010, the New York Times described his couture show and its pieces as, “fascinating (…) quite clear in military shapes and broken elegance. Dresses like melted down family silver” - Cathy Horyn
. After a brief period with Karl Lagerfeld
as an assistant, he worked as a designer along Jean Patou
before being appointed director of luxury prêt-à-porter at the renowned house of Balenciaga
. It was for the next five and a half years that Thimister would spend reviving the brand with his pure, succinctly modernist vision. He then set up his own Paris-based house in 1997, and has since presented both haute couture and prêt-à-porter collections under his name.
summa cum laude in 1987; the same year Thimister claimed first prize for design in the institution. Within a year, the aspiring designer found himself working under Karl Lagerfeld
, now creative director of Chanel
and also his own renowned label.
at the House of Patou in preparation of their 1990 haute-couture collection. From 1987 to 1992, Thimister has also freelanced as an illustrator and interior decorator for magazines (Vogue
, Vogue Déco, Elle Déco, World of Interiors
), private clients, exhibitions (Maison et Object, Musée Carnavalet, Grand Palais
), and art installations in Rome, Italy.
where he would hold the position as artistic director of luxury women’s prêt-à-porter and accessories for over half a decade. It was said that at Balenciaga, he "contributed through his minimalist style and great skills in cutting in modernizing the house's image."
After spending nearly six years with Balenciaga
, Josephus Thimister began to design for the Italian ready-to-wear label Genny in 1998. Alongside Genny, Thimister readapted classic military coats and bias-cut gowns; synthesizing dramatic, long leather skirts with elegant crisp cotton-glazed shirts. His designs showed a different approach of the art, demonstrating his individuality among the established couture names. Critics were supposedly struck by the modernity and apparent simplicity of his silhouettes.
In February 2005, Thimister was named head designer by the house of Charles Jourdan
, in replacement of Patrick Cox
. Working with Charles Jourdan
, Thimister became known for his poetically Nordic, lightly surrealist and controversial creations.
Thimister thereafter did stints with various fashion-influenced institutions for three years.
He designed a collection for Andy Warhol
entitled "Andy Warhol: Heroes & Icons", put on display in 2006 around Europe.
He also supervised and consulted the concept design of handbags under the Swarovski
name.
, his return show was met with resounding success and received much praise from the press and the industry. The collection, termed "1915: Bloodshed and Opulence" an anti-war collection, was a medley of recycled military jackets and canvas tents, and elegant couture finishing of silk, crepe and satin lining. "I’m convinced that all of today’s problems are the conclusion of that period", claimed Thimister in an interview with Style.com, "I am recycling some of my favorite fabrics, like imperial satin and wool blends". An array of ultra-brut fused with ultra-sophistiqué materials were hence formed. The brand now boasts celebrated pieces of blood Red, rough Khaki and faded Ivory; pieces defined as “starkly beautiful” - (Jenny Barchfield)
Anna Wintour
Anna Wintour, OBE is the British-born editor-in-chief of American Vogue, a position she has held since 1988. With her trademark pageboy bob haircut and sunglasses, Wintour has become an institution throughout the fashion world, widely praised for her eye for fashion trends and her support for...
named Josephus Thimister as one of the twenty-first best fashion designers. In 2010, the New York Times described his couture show and its pieces as, “fascinating (…) quite clear in military shapes and broken elegance. Dresses like melted down family silver” - Cathy Horyn
Cathy Horyn
Cathy Horyn is an American fashion journalist, working as the fashion critic for The New York Times where she also keeps a highly noted and provocative blog called...
. After a brief period with Karl Lagerfeld
Karl Lagerfeld
Karl Lagerfeld is a German fashion designer, artist and photographer based in Paris. He has collaborated on a variety of fashion and art related projects, most notably as head designer and creative director for the fashion house Chanel...
as an assistant, he worked as a designer along Jean Patou
Jean Patou
- Early life :Patou was born in Normandy, France in 1880. Patou's family's business was tanning and furs. Patou worked with his uncle in Normandy, then moved to Paris in 1910, intent on becoming a couturier.-1910s - World War I and later:...
before being appointed director of luxury prêt-à-porter at the renowned house of Balenciaga
Balenciaga
Balenciaga is a fashion house founded by Cristóbal Balenciaga, a Basque designer, born in the Basque Country, Spain. He had a reputation as a couturier of uncompromising standards and was referred to as "the master of us all" by Christian Dior. His bubble skirts and odd, feminine, yet ultra-modern...
. It was for the next five and a half years that Thimister would spend reviving the brand with his pure, succinctly modernist vision. He then set up his own Paris-based house in 1997, and has since presented both haute couture and prêt-à-porter collections under his name.
Early life and career
Born to parents of Russian, Belgian, and French descent in Maastricht, Netherlands in 1962, Thimister knew of his passion for design at the age of four. His ambitions soon materialized when he graduated from the fashion department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts AntwerpRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp
The Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp is an art academy located in Antwerp, Belgium. It is one of the oldest of its kind in Europe. It was founded in 1663 by David Teniers the Younger, painter to the Archduke Leopold Wilhelm and Don Juan of Austria...
summa cum laude in 1987; the same year Thimister claimed first prize for design in the institution. Within a year, the aspiring designer found himself working under Karl Lagerfeld
Karl Lagerfeld
Karl Lagerfeld is a German fashion designer, artist and photographer based in Paris. He has collaborated on a variety of fashion and art related projects, most notably as head designer and creative director for the fashion house Chanel...
, now creative director of Chanel
Chanel
Chanel S.A. is a French fashion house founded by the couturier Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, well established in haute couture, specializing in luxury goods . She gained the name "Coco" while maintaining a career as a singer at a café in France...
and also his own renowned label.
Early career
Thimister then worked alongside prominent designer, Jean PatouJean Patou
- Early life :Patou was born in Normandy, France in 1880. Patou's family's business was tanning and furs. Patou worked with his uncle in Normandy, then moved to Paris in 1910, intent on becoming a couturier.-1910s - World War I and later:...
at the House of Patou in preparation of their 1990 haute-couture collection. From 1987 to 1992, Thimister has also freelanced as an illustrator and interior decorator for magazines (Vogue
Vogue (magazine)
Vogue is a fashion and lifestyle magazine that is published monthly in 18 national and one regional edition by Condé Nast.-History:In 1892 Arthur Turnure founded Vogue as a weekly publication in the United States. When he died in 1909, Condé Montrose Nast picked up the magazine and slowly began...
, Vogue Déco, Elle Déco, World of Interiors
World of Interiors
The World of Interiors magazine is published by Condé Nast.The glossy magazine, which features articles and photographs about interior design was founded in London, England as Interiors in 1981 by Kevin Kelly with Min Hogg as editor....
), private clients, exhibitions (Maison et Object, Musée Carnavalet, Grand Palais
Grand Palais
This article contains material abridged and translated from the French and Spanish Wikipedia.The Grand Palais des Champs-Elysées, commonly known as the Grand Palais , is a large historic site, exhibition hall and museum complex located at the Champs-Élysées in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, France...
), and art installations in Rome, Italy.
Balenciaga Years
In 1991, Thimister advanced toward BalenciagaBalenciaga
Balenciaga is a fashion house founded by Cristóbal Balenciaga, a Basque designer, born in the Basque Country, Spain. He had a reputation as a couturier of uncompromising standards and was referred to as "the master of us all" by Christian Dior. His bubble skirts and odd, feminine, yet ultra-modern...
where he would hold the position as artistic director of luxury women’s prêt-à-porter and accessories for over half a decade. It was said that at Balenciaga, he "contributed through his minimalist style and great skills in cutting in modernizing the house's image."
After spending nearly six years with Balenciaga
Balenciaga
Balenciaga is a fashion house founded by Cristóbal Balenciaga, a Basque designer, born in the Basque Country, Spain. He had a reputation as a couturier of uncompromising standards and was referred to as "the master of us all" by Christian Dior. His bubble skirts and odd, feminine, yet ultra-modern...
, Josephus Thimister began to design for the Italian ready-to-wear label Genny in 1998. Alongside Genny, Thimister readapted classic military coats and bias-cut gowns; synthesizing dramatic, long leather skirts with elegant crisp cotton-glazed shirts. His designs showed a different approach of the art, demonstrating his individuality among the established couture names. Critics were supposedly struck by the modernity and apparent simplicity of his silhouettes.
In February 2005, Thimister was named head designer by the house of Charles Jourdan
Charles Jourdan
Charles Jourdan was a French fashion designer known best for his designs of women's shoes starting in 1919. His name reached its greatest notoriety in the years since his death under the leadership of his sons, first with an emphasis on the use of innovative materials and later for more...
, in replacement of Patrick Cox
Patrick Cox
Patrick Cox is a Canadian–British fashion designer and an eponymous fashion label specializing in the creation of shoes, leather goods and accessories...
. Working with Charles Jourdan
Charles Jourdan
Charles Jourdan was a French fashion designer known best for his designs of women's shoes starting in 1919. His name reached its greatest notoriety in the years since his death under the leadership of his sons, first with an emphasis on the use of innovative materials and later for more...
, Thimister became known for his poetically Nordic, lightly surrealist and controversial creations.
Thimister thereafter did stints with various fashion-influenced institutions for three years.
He designed a collection for Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol
Andrew Warhola , known as Andy Warhol, was an American painter, printmaker, and filmmaker who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art...
entitled "Andy Warhol: Heroes & Icons", put on display in 2006 around Europe.
He also supervised and consulted the concept design of handbags under the Swarovski
Swarovski
Swarovski is the brand name for a range of precisely-cut crystal and related luxury products produced by Swarovski AG of Wattens, Austria...
name.
House of THIMISTER
In a few short years, Thimister had designed an entire mélange of haute couture and luxury prêt-a-porter pieces. In January 2010, after being invited by the Fédération française de la coutureFédération française de la couture
The Fédération française de la couture, du prêt-à-porter des couturiers et des créateurs de mode is the French fashion industry governing clothing. The Federation was created in 1973, growing out of an older trade union , the Chambre syndicale de la haute couture parisienne which was created in...
, his return show was met with resounding success and received much praise from the press and the industry. The collection, termed "1915: Bloodshed and Opulence" an anti-war collection, was a medley of recycled military jackets and canvas tents, and elegant couture finishing of silk, crepe and satin lining. "I’m convinced that all of today’s problems are the conclusion of that period", claimed Thimister in an interview with Style.com, "I am recycling some of my favorite fabrics, like imperial satin and wool blends". An array of ultra-brut fused with ultra-sophistiqué materials were hence formed. The brand now boasts celebrated pieces of blood Red, rough Khaki and faded Ivory; pieces defined as “starkly beautiful” - (Jenny Barchfield)
Personal life
Josephus Thimister resides in Dublin, Ireland along with his fashion House in Paris, France. Several articles from his collection are predicted to appear in department stores and multi-brand boutiques across the globe.See also
- Josephus Thimister's Official Website http://thimister.com/
- THIMISTER's Fall-Winter 2010 Haute Couture Collection