COLONNA Jean (Designer)

Imagine the dark backstreets of Paris, a flashing neon sign and a hidden door opening to an underground world inhabited by women who sleep during the day and dress for the night in leopard prints, stretchy sheer lace and little else. This is the world of French designer Jean Colonna, whose fashion shows conjure up the world of the Pigalle district after dark. He came to prominence during the "deconstruction" trend of the early 1990s, upsetting the establishment by creating clothes that people could actually afford. His manufacturing methods included overlocked hems and edges, doing away with the need for finishing. Colonna trained in Paris and spent two years at Balmain, before launching his own label in 1985. Colonna's philosophy has always been that "a piece of clothing must be simple _ to make, to sell and to wear". He was also among the first to attempt to dispense with the catwalk and to present his collections through catalogues. 

Also look up for Balmain, Dolce & Gabanna, Topolino