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 BY TIFFANY HALL |  | | | | | Fawning for Diran | | | | | | | In language most audible, we proclaim Loris laudable. That’s Loris Diran, fawn, the New York-based designer known for his namesake men’s and women’s ready-to-wear collections. The go-to gent for gorgeous gowns and luxury knits, Diran’s designs have been featured on “The Devil Wears Prada” and are coveted by a loyal clientele of fashion savvy customers as well as celebrities from the world of music, television, and film. In fact, A-listers such as Beyonce Knowles, Nicolette Sheridan, and Sarah Jessica Parker find the fruits of Diran’s labor most sartorially swell, belle.
Since settling on New York’s upper west side after moving from Europe at age six, the French-American designer has propelled his way into the fashion foray. From Diran’s early beginnings at the house of Versace, ‘twas luxury that lured him and prompted a perpetual display of pristine prêt-a-porter. “I started at a very high level working for Gianni Versace,” says Diran. “I began in luxury and stayed in luxury…I loved it, I understood it, and I wanted to work with that client in that category.” Diran held various positions at Barneys New York and Calvin Klein then spent five formidable years working for the house of Chanel before ultimately deciding to launch his own line. | |  Spring 2009 | | | | | | | |  Spring 2009 | | “I started a couture line and a made-to-measure line in 2003, then developed the men’s collection and women’s demi-couture, which is, essentially ready-to-wear with extensive hand details,” says Diran. “The factories that I work with also make garments for Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, and Tuleh, so the line is extremely well-made.” His collections have been featured during New York Fashion Week for five consecutive seasons and have served to provide quite the ready-to-wear renown. Says Diran, “It’s as fabulous as you’re going to get in New York.”
Having recently opened a flagship boutique in the heart of downtown Manhattan, Diran churns out creative confections inspired by both mid-century modernism and his European upbringing. This season, the photography of Robert Mapplethorpe proved the perfect inspiration for Diran’s Spring/Summer collection; in particular, he looked to the photographer’s series of flowers in black and white. “Mapplethorpe took pictures of calla lilies and orchids that were strangely provocative,” says Diran. “I love his dark images of flowers…I didn’t want to make a bunch of Easter dresses, I wanted something that took flowers into a darker, more sexy, sultry direction.” | | | | | | | | ‘Tis black-and-white sight for eyes sore of florals. And there’s much more to adore…Diran describes, in detail, the hottest frock for summer: “It’s a stunning, black cotton organdy dress with a silk, off-white grosgrain ribbon and flowers in black and off-white dotting the neckline. With four tiers of organdy, it is one of the most perfect dresses for summer because it has such body and at the same time, it’s so airy. Customers have said it’s like wearing nothing.” Ooh la la, Loris.
“What fascinates me is the woman that wants an exceptionally made, beautifully-designed dress that is at once complicated in its construction, but ultimately super simple to wear,” says the designer.
The challenge, for Diran, lies in marrying a complicated piece of couture with a lifestyle. “I love designing for a client that adores exceptionally well-made and thought-out garments that are both modern and forever at the same time.” For items most eternally exquisite, keep those eyes on Diran.
Visit: www.LorisDiran.com | |  Fall 2009 | | | | | | | | | | | |
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