Last week marked the grand opening of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, an event celebrated around the world. As the final highlight of the ceremony, a figure of Joan of Arc rode to the Seine on a mechanical horse, capturing the crowd’s imagination. Joan of Arc’s striking outfit was created by renowned designer Jeanne Friot, whose designs have been worn by Madonna and Eurovision winners Måneskin.
Friot, a designer known for breaking gender norms and advocating sustainable fashion, found inspiration in Joan of Arc’s symbolic fight against societal constraints. She collaborated with leather master Robert Mercier, famous for dressing celebrities such as Zendaya and Kim Kardashian. Together they created a metallised leather costume with a printed bodysuit that created a trompe l’oeil effect of criss-crossing belts.
As well as being visually stunning, the costume was also practical, with adjustable and removable parts to suit the rider’s needs. Friot emphasised the reclaiming of Joan of Arc as a symbol for the modern age, reflecting her own struggle against social norms and gender rules.
You can discover our conversation with the leather enchanter and master of handmade craftsmanship, Robert Mercier, here.
All photography courtesy of JEANNE FRIOT
