The wacky "do it yourself" of Nicole McLaughlin

Chaussures faisant office de trousse d’école ; sandale avec pinceau et palette de peinture en guise de lanière ; soutien-gorge fabriqué à partir de deux sacs à main Chiquito signés Jacquemus ; chaise dotée d’une gazinière en guise d’assise ; escarpins au talon chargeur de smartphone ; gant de cuisine confectionné à partir d’une baguette de pain, veste en gaufres, etc. A 27 ans à peine, Nicole McLaughlin a de la suite dans les idées. La designer américaine, basée à New York, qui a collaboré avec les équipementiers (Reebok, Puma ou Nike) et des griffes comme Jacquemus, Hermès ou Prada, cultive, à travers ses pièces – vêtements, accessoires, pièces de mobilier et surtout, chaussures –, un esprit do it yourself (DIY) loufoque et ludique. Son travail est un plaidoyer en faveur de la mode fonctionnelle mais aussi durable ‐ «zéro gâchis»–. Graphiste de formation et passionnée de photo, la jeune femme ne s’imaginait pas, un jour, mettre un pied dans la mode. «J’ai commencé à poster mon travail sur Instagram et j’ai tapé dans l’œil de diverses marques dont je me servais déjà pour mes créations comme Crocs ou Fila», raconte-t-elle.

The ordinary in extraordinary

His approach: “I understand artistic and conceptual pieces with vintage streetwear, imprints of nostalgia, particularly from the 90s.I am looking to create fun and innovative things.Some can even be worn, as shorts made from Haribo candy packs or the one whose pockets allow you to transport several books.I use recycled materials and clothes that demonstrate how the clothing industry is based on the mess.I also revisit clothes that can have other features. "Its productions are an illustration of the upcycling (recycling of fabrics and objects "from above", towards quality or even luxury).

It is also via Instagram, where she has more than 630,000 subscribers, that Nicole McLaughlin met Sarah Andelman, the former artistic director of the Parisian concept store Colette, closed in 2017. Now at the head of Just An Idea, Parisian consulting company for fashion, beauty, art or design brands, and Just and Idea Books, publishing house dedicated to the same themes, the Frenchman proposed to the American artist to bring her creations in a book,Prefaced by the singer-producer Pharell Williams.Released in April, it is part of a first collection of five works highlighting creators who change the ordinary in extraordinary.

In addition to this publication, the native of New Jersey collaborates again with a fashion brand (Arc'Teryx, a Canadian outdoor clothing manufacturer), for the launch of a line with "Upcyclea" design as part ofA program based on the circular economy.

Nicole McLaughlin, Just An Idea Books, 50 euros.