JUDE FERRARI/ MAISON J.SIMONE - BLUE TRIP

What is the main inspiration behind this collection?

To create this collection, I immersed myself in 1970s surf culture: documentaries about surfers, archive photographs, vintage surfboards, as well as the habits, objects and rituals of those who shaped this culture. I was particularly interested in surfing in Hawaii, California, Bali and on the Basque coast, while also drawing inspiration from what I observe during my travels. I liked the idea of juxtaposing this almost mythical imagery of 1970s surfing with the way this culture continues to exist today.

Which colours did you focus on?

Blue, of course! It’s one of J.Simone’s favourite colours and it features in almost every season. This time, I’ve used it in several shades inspired by the ocean, from the lightest to the deepest blues. There’s also plenty of orange, a colour strongly associated with the 1970s, which adds warmth and contrast to this aquatic palette.

What about the fabrics ?

Mesh, for its transparency, lightness and texture. Bamboo, for its natural feel, its softness against the skin and, above all, the way it drapes so beautifully. Then there’s terry cloth, which I love precisely because it’s much less precious! It immediately brings to mind the beach: stepping out of the water, something evoking the everyday. I love this sense of irony: taking such a familiar, almost mundane material and bringing it into a more fashion-forward wardrobe. It also adds a very bold volume and drape that contrast with the fluidity of the other fabrics.

A favourite destination for summer 2027?

Uluwatu, of course! That’s actually the name of the collection.

A childhood memory that shaped your career?

At 14, I was already drinking loads of Diet Coke (nowadays it’s Coke Zero!). I realised I was throwing away far too many cans, so I started keeping all the bottle caps. I eventually had enough to make a pair of shorts, a top and a bag entirely from those bottle caps. That’s a lot of Coke… But looking back, I think the seeds were already there: taking something ordinary, repurposing it, and trying to turn it into a garment.

Is there a film or a book that still fascinates you?

Tim Burton’s Big Fish, based on the novel by Daniel Wallace. I absolutely love this story of a father who turns his life into a series of fantastical tales, to the point where you can no longer tell where reality ends and imagination begins. His son tries to understand who his father really was and eventually discovers that there is a grain of truth hidden behind all these outlandish stories. That boundary between reality and exaggeration fascinates me greatly. I think it’s also something I love about fashion: taking everyday life and pushing it until it becomes almost extraordinary.

Do you have a personal memory linked to this profession?

After graduating high school, I was on a Sciences Po preparatory course with the aim of becoming a TV presenter. One day, my father, who had himself followed a very demanding academic path, studying at HEC and Harvard, simply asked me: “Why don’t you do a job you really enjoy, like art or fashion? ”

That sentence completely changed my life. It was as if someone had just given me permission to dream of something I’d never really allowed myself to consider. From then on, I did everything I could to get into Central Saint Martins in London. I managed to get in. He was proud of me, and so was I. 

Your end-of-year playlist ?

- Wipe Out, The Surfaris
- Johnny B. Goode, Chuck Berr

- Let’s Go Surfing, The Drums
- L.S.D, Skegss
- Malibu, Powels

A playlist that’s clearly still very much in the spirit of Uluwatu!

Is there a new place in Paris you would like to check out?

The new Bus Palladium. I’m really keen to see what’s become of this legendary Pigalle venue in its new guise.

Another one, a classic or historical one ?

I recently discovered what is, for me, the best pain au chocolat in Paris: the one from Demi-Sel, in the 4th arrondissement. So it’s not really a place I want to rediscover but rather somewhere I’m already really keen to go back to!

A dream for 2027? Any plans?

To expand the J.Simone pop-ups in Paris even further, to create more opportunities for people to come together around the brand, and above all to successfully organise our first pop-up in Los Angeles.

What’s your motto?

‘There’s always a solution.’

That’s probably the phrase I find myself repeating most often. In a small brand, there are constantly unexpected issues, so I’ve learned not to get bogged down in a problem for too long. There’s always another way of doing things.

This interview has been lightly edited. 

L.B