Q&A: Roland Mouret And Camille Over The Rainbow On The #ClergerieGirls Campaign

The Clergerie Girls Campaign is back!

The competition that offers entrants across the world the chance to work with luxury shoe brand Robert Clergerie, their Creative Director (and legendary fashion designer) Roland Mouret and blogger Camille Charrière of Camille Over The Rainbow to create their very own pair of Clergerie shoes – which is basically the best fashion prize ever invented...

Here, we speak to Roland and Camille about the campaign, find out what it's like to design for a brand that dates back to 1895, and discover what the pair chat about when conversation veers away from fashion...

In a nutshell, #ClergerieGirls is an Instagram campaign, right?

CC: Exactly. My role is to incentivise people to take part in the competition, and then act as a jury member selecting the winning snaps. The final winner will be announced over a big dinner during Paris fashion week.

What's the aim of the campaign?

RM: I’ve always been a fan of women in cities – the way they live and dress. It’s really what creates street culture and I thought it was quite interesting to bring it back to Clergerie; to create a group of women that would become ambassadors for the brand.

What are you looking for in the winner?

RM: Someone who wants a career in fashion.

CC: Originality. A person who’ll sell, but also who has a good eye for photography. I think we can all agree that Instagram has become a bit repetitive so we’re trying to get people who photograph or see things in a different way or from a different angle – a fresh perspective.

Will you take the caption into consideration?

CC: We don’t actually, which is almost a bit sad. I’m big on captions, but I do think when you are working on a project like this, it’s nice to give everybody a fair chance. It wouldn’t be fair on those who don’t speak or write English as well.

**How would you describe a 'Clergerie Girl'? What characteristics might she have? **

RM: Really eclectic. She’s curious and curious of life around her. Her shoes enable her to walk and experience life.

CC: When I asked Roland what he had in mind when he invented the concept of 'Clergerie Girls', he said: 'street carpet not red carpet'. Clergerie Girls are very aware of the way they dress. They look good but are comfortable, and can go from work to drinks in the same outfit. It’s about shoes that are original and quite high fashion, and can fit in with that person's uniform.

How did your collaboration come about?

CC: We actually met at a dinner party a year ago. Roland is really good friends with a lady called Carole Benazet who owns an amazing store called Departement Feminin. She’s based in the South of France and has a well-created e-commerce site too. She introduced us because she thought we’d get on. And she was right!

When they asked me to be one of the Clergerie Girls, Roland and I had already been discussing ways of working together. This was the solution we came up with. It was a really organic way of becoming part of the brand’s DNA.

What’s it like working together?

CC: Roland's super fun. I’m really lucky because I always complain about French people and say in interviews that they are boring, but Roland is from the South and he is really fun! He’s really motivational. He’s interested in art and all aspects of fashion. We sat down around the time of the EU referendum and had an incredibly exhilarating discussion. He’s somebody that you’d want to have around; he’s a very well-rounded individual and he’s not just interested in fashion. I really like that.

Roland, do you approach designing for Clergerie in a different way to designing under your own name?

RM: It would be impossible to make something else of it, under the name of ‘Robert Clergerie’. I’m really in the vein of Robert when I work with the team. What I can bring to them is my knowledge of fashion, and I produce what people aren’t expecting. It is a pleasure for me to work for Clergerie, though I don’t have to dilute my way of working; I know the concept of the brand and that’s what makes it a success.

Camille, what do you like most about Clergerie?

CC: The shoes have the real craftsmanship. You can tell that Clergerie are proper shoemakers and have always been that way. The ‘Made in France’ label comes into its own when you try the shoes on. The beautiful leather is really sturdy, even though it’s quite delicate and fashiony. You can tell that you’re investing in a proper shoe and not just a fashion statement. I really like brands like that.

** Do you have a favourite pair?**

CC. I am obsessed with the black and white loafers (above). They’re in store at the moment. I’ve folded the back forward so you can wear them like slippers.

Keep up-to-date on the stages of the campaign by clicking here.

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