French designer and leather expert, Laurence Basse, excitedly returned to New York Fashion Week to introduce the fashion world to her label LAURENCE BASSE PARIS. The brand’s ethos encompasses detail and structure, which was apparent with its Fall/Winter 2024 collection, BURN THE CITY, on the runway.
Basse was asked to describe the collection in one word. The first thing that came to her mind: “WARRIOR”. LAURENCE BASSE PARIS’ focus lies on what’s going on in the world at the moment, the intersection of so much beauty and so much pain. Inspiration for FW24 was all about war and peace. As Basse’s first New York Fashion Week on her own, she hopes to break the mold with versatility that’s never been seen before. The Project Runway alum showed her collection in beautiful raw pace in The Paramount Building in Times Square.
The collection embodied Basse’s ethos with an impeccable showcase of her distinct leatherwork along with the addition of materials like denim, silk, and wool. In addition to her traditional black, Basse incorporated tones of pink, blue, green, and sheer metallic. The most memorable looks of the collection included a baby pink leather jumpsuit and two-piece leather gown with a stunning headpiece. Custom-designed chainlink jewelry for this collection adorned nearly every model. Basse was proud to partner with esteemed jewelry designer Mr O Atelier this season. The colorful and bold runway display concluded with recycled fur pieces designed by Basse and made by Tas Kletsidis.
Laurence Basse
Basse’s NYFW show was produced by her dear friend Mykel C Smith of Mykel C Smith Creative. Mykel C Smith has been in the creative business for 20+ years as an event producer, celebrity stylist, casting director, event planner & creative director. Highlights of the MCSC roster include Coke, L’Oreal, The Marley Brand, ELLE India, ELLE Spain, Top Owens Collection, Tracy Reese, Lenny Kravitz, Steven Tyler, Tike Sumpter, KeKe Wyatt, Skip Marley, Elvis Nolasco & various publications.
A special thanks to our sponsors Marley, blaze NYC, Paramount, The Marshal, Bio Seaweed Gel, Nails & Blinks, Papi, Mr, Nicky Clarke, Mc, Pop Shady, Pure Natural Products, ORS, Blossom Beauty in Bloom, Jessica, Blue Cross, Belvedere Vodka, and PINAQ LIQUEUR.
About the Designer
Laurence Basse had a successful modeling career before venturing into the design world, discovered by none other than Jean-Paul Gaultier back in the late nineties. She appeared in French and American publications like UNITED COLORS OF BENETTON, ELLE Magazine, Cosmopolitan, and many more. During this time Basse began to absorb the industry, modeling was a way to make money and go to fashion school.
BASSE’s inspiration developed early from a modest upbringing in Normandie, France where dressing was function before form. Basse emerged with a feverish passion for well-designed things. “I loved to dress up as a kid but never thought of becoming a designer until my brother and I started making clothes in high school. We sold our clothes to the more privileged kids, so it became a hustle! People were hustling drugs, I was hustling clothes,” said Basse.
She professionally pursued her allure, enrolling in a fashion Art school in Paris, France. One aspect of fashion that Basse particularly chose and loves working with is Leather. “I didn’t start working with leather, my background is Paris Haute-Couture. However since I have a rebellious nature, I needed to do something different. Most people think of leather as a very limited source, so I decided to work with the skin, tame it, and become one.”
Her broad appreciation for the arts covered everything from automobiles to architecture and nested in fashion after her first brush with Thierry Mugler. Basse draws inspiration from the clean lines and structural elements of buildings, which she incorporates into her designs as architecture for the body. The unique blend of art and architecture, the duality of genre, the hard and the soft, sets her apart in the fashion industry.
Laurence Basse rose to fame as a finalist on the Emmy Award-Winning show Project Runway Season 15 and Project Runway All-Stars Season 20. She has designed for many celebrities including NBA superstars Dwight Howard and Serge Ibaka, Gina Rodriguez for the cover of Latina Magazine, Jada Pickett Smith
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Learn More
@laurencebasse
laurencebasse.com
With love,
FWO
