LAUSANNE.- A graduate of London’s world-renowned Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, Kévin Germanier belongs to a new generation of designers who are shaking up the rules. With collaborations spanning pop icons such as Lady Gaga and Beyoncé, he has carved out a distinctive aesthetic that fuses bursts of colour, futuristic silhouettes and recycled materials. From forgotten beads, discarded fabrics and repurposed textiles, Germanier conjures up creations that marry elegance with sustainability — a vision of fashion brimming with optimism for the future.

Hailing from the Swiss canton of Valais, Germanier draws inspiration from his regional heritage, particularly in crafts such as knitting. Working closely with local knitters, he champions traditional craftsmanship and weaves it seamlessly into his collections. This creative exchange with female artisans, overseen by his mother, grounds his work in cultural heritage while breathing contemporary life into it. The blend of tradition and innovation encapsulates the importance of honouring the past while reinventing it to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

This is not a retrospective of the young designer, who is barely in his thirties, but rather a glimpse into the current concerns that run through his work. By transforming reclaimed materials such as unused fabrics and forgotten beads, he shows that sustainability and elegance can go hand in hand. In an industry often criticised for its environmental impact, Germanier demonstrates that alternative systems of production are possible, ones in which giving new life to discarded objects becomes a way of reimagining our relationship with consumption. Beyond his creations, Germanier also acts as a cultural ambassador for Switzerland, helping to shine a light on his country’s flair for innovation in fashion. This exhibition offers a chance to highlight Switzerland’s growing prominence on the international creative scene and to inspire a new generation of designers to embrace bold, responsible approaches to their craft.

This immersive experience invites visitors to disco- ver some of Germanier’s most iconic pieces, while exploring how his couture house revives the age- old art of repair through both traditional craftsmanship and innovative techniques. The exhibition offers a captivating blend of wonder, reflection and commitment. By paying tribute to Kévin Germanier, this carte blanche actively contributes to building a more responsible fashion industry and celebrates Swiss innovation on the international stage – all while conveying a message of hope and transformation.

Between Rarity and Accessibility

Since the early 2000s, the fashion landscape has been buzzing with constant energy, marked by the rise of new labels alongside established giants such as LVMH and Kering. In this fiercely competitive world, where standing out while remaining financially viable is a delicate balancing act, brands must display both strategic ingenuity and creative flair to assert their unique identity.

In the world of Haute Couture, long synonymous with exclusivity and extraordinary expense, diversification has become a vital lever for growth. As early as the 1980s, the luxury market began adopting new strategies aimed at reaching beyond the traditional elite. The development of derivative products such as accessories, perfumes and cosmetics made these rarefied worlds more accessible, allowing brands to connect with a wider audience eager for objects that carried the aura of belonging to an exclusive circle.

From its founding in 2018, the House of Germanier has embraced an inventive approach perfectly attuned to the growing dominance of the digital age. Favouring direct-to-consumer sales through its website and communication centred on social media, it mirrors the strategy of many independent labels. This digital model fosters a close relationship with clients while allowing the brand to maintain tight control over its image. Germanier strikes a delicate balance between rarity and accessibility. Some pieces are produced in ultra-limited series as part of exclusive collaborations, heightening the brand’s sense of prestige. Others, designed with more attainable price points, open the door for a wider audience to enter Germanier’s vibrant world. A testament to his versatility, the designer continues to expand his creative reach through partnerships with other brands and by participating in major public events (from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games to Eurovision 2025), securing international visibility while affirming his distinctive aesthetic and technical vision.

When Fashion Becomes a Social Connector

Kévin Germanier grounds his work in a philosophy of reuse, drawing on dormant stock and pre-existing materials to craft new creations. The components he employs are often unique, and their trans- formation – sometimes truly extraordinary – is the result of many hands working together. Several of the dresses presented in the mudac exhibition were fashioned from distinctive textiles, including knitted pieces made by craftswomen from his native Valais, as well as by artisans from around the world. This diversity highlights the wealth of skills involved, both local and international, and reflects a constant com- mitment to quality, technical precision and the indi- vidual story behind each collaboration.

Beyond formal and aesthetic experimentation, Germanier’s approach carries a strong social dimension. Some of his collaborations are linked to initiatives that promote social reintegration through tex- tile work, revealing fashion’s potential to serve as a tool for inclusion and empowerment. The recreated workshop at mudac defies the romanticised image often associated with Haute Couture ateliers. Instead, it appears as a dynamic, ever-evolving

space for experimentation, a place where research can be both seen and touched. It is within this creative laboratory that Les Monstrueuses are born: hybrid, daring figures that push the boundaries of form and expression. At the heart of the exhibition stands a textile chimera – a striking embodiment of this experimental spirit. It brings together materials emblematic of the designer’s work: surplus beads, discarded sequins, recycled fibres, unsold fabrics and collected fragments. This entity invites visitors to engage directly with the textures of Germanier’s collections, revealing the breadth of resources he transforms and the boundless potential of their reinvention.

By highlighting forms of production often associated with industrial contexts or economies beyond Europe, the space challenges common preconceptions surrounding fast fashion. It serves as a reminder that artisanal manufacturing, when conducted with respect for human rights, can flourish well beyond European borders, provided that every stage of the production process is carefully monitored.