Jean-Claude Jitrois

Jean-Claude Jitrois is a pioneering French designer and the founder of the luxury house Jitrois, established in 1983. Before entering the fashion industry, he worked as a psychotherapist and professor of psychology, a background that continues to inform his perspective on the relationship between clothing and the body. Often referred to as 'the king of leather,' Jitrois is credited with revolutionising the use of the material in high fashion.

His career is marked by significant technical innovation, most notably the invention of stretch leather, which transformed the material from a rigid hide into a second skin. His role in the industry has been defined by a commitment to craftsmanship and a daring, sensual aesthetic. By blending psychological insight with technical mastery, he has established Jitrois as a world-leading specialist in luxury leather design, maintaining a significant global influence over several decades.

'Leather as a Second Skin' acts as the foundational principle for Jean-Claude Jitrois, who views the material through a psychological and anatomical lens. His work is primarily concerned with the empowerment of the wearer, using skin-tight, structural leather to create an assertive and sensual silhouette. The invention of stretch leather transformed how the material interacts with the body, enabling movement and a level of comfort previously unattainable in leatherwear.

The treatment of the body is anatomical, with a focus on highlighting the natural form through precise construction and high-glamour finishes. Ornament is typically integrated into the structure of the garment, appearing as intricate seams that enhance the second-skin effect. Materiality is the primary driver, with each piece functioning as a study in surface texture and elasticity. By merging the boundaries between the garment and the skin, Jitrois explores themes of protection and self-assurance.