Courrèges
French luxury fashion house associated with space-age modernism, geometric silhouettes, vinyl and youthful ready-to-wear.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Courrèges is a French luxury fashion house founded in Paris in 1961 by André Courrèges, Coqueline Courrèges and Marcel Leyrat, three former colleagues of Cristóbal Balenciaga. From its earliest collections, the house challenged the conventions of mid-century couture through short skirts, trousers for women, clean geometric construction, flat footwear, architectural shapes and a predominantly white palette. Its work became closely associated with the Space Age style of the 1960s, a broader movement that translated interest in space exploration, technology and modern architecture into fashion. The house’s breakthrough came with its commercially successful 1964 collection, especially the Moon Girl presentation. Vinyl, used prominently in that collection, became one of Courrèges’s most recognizable materials. The brand’s clothes combined futuristic visual codes with practical movement and youthful energy, helping shift fashion away from restrictive formal dressing. Courrèges also developed a strong accessories and fragrance business and, for a period, operated a couture division. In 1967 it moved decisively toward ready-to-wear, using the name “couture future” for a line intended to preserve its design identity in a more accessible format. The company expanded rapidly during the 1960s and 1970s. L’Oréal became a major shareholder in 1968 and supported the development of Courrèges Parfums. A menswear line was introduced in 1973, although it was discontinued in 1986. At its peak, the house operated an extensive boutique network, including a substantial presence in the United States. Ownership and control changed several times after L’Oréal sold its stake to Japanese company Itokin in 1982. Financial and managerial difficulties followed, and the company was subsequently sold to Epargne Developpement in 1990. André and Coqueline Courrèges later regained control, with André retiring in 1995 and Coqueline continuing as artistic director. The family sold Courrèges in 2011 to Jacques Bungert and Frédéric Torloting. The new owners relaunched the label through updated versions of house classics, online distribution and selected retail partnerships. Artémis acquired a stake in 2015 and became the sole owner in 2018. Under Artémis, the brand went through successive creative phases led by Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant, Yolanda Zobel and Nicolas Di Felice. Di Felice, appointed in 2020, reinterpreted Courrèges through streamlined, body-conscious and youth-oriented ready-to-wear while retaining references to the house’s geometric heritage. The menswear line returned in 2021. Courrèges currently operates across ready-to-wear, footwear, accessories and fragrance. Its contemporary identity combines heritage codes such as vinyl, white boots, graphic logos and cropped silhouettes with newer interpretations intended for global luxury consumers. The brand has expanded its boutique presence in Paris, New York, Los Angeles and South Korea. Nicolas Di Felice stepped down in 2026 to pursue personal projects, and Drew Henry was appointed artistic director, with his first collection scheduled for September 2026.
History
Courrèges was established in Paris on 6 October 1961 by André Courrèges, Coqueline Courrèges and Marcel Leyrat. All three had worked at Balenciaga, where Courrèges had been a senior assistant to Cristóbal Balenciaga. Coqueline acquired premises at 48 Avenue Kléber for the first atelier, and Balenciaga encouraged the young house and helped introduce it to potential clients. Courrèges presented its first collection in July 1961, before the formal incorporation of the business. The house achieved major commercial recognition with its August 1964 collection. The Moon Girl designs, with their short geometric forms, white palette, boots and use of vinyl, became a defining expression of 1960s Space Age fashion. The collection received strong editorial attention, including praise from Vogue editor Diana Vreeland, and demand exceeded the company’s ability to fulfill orders. Emanuel Ungaro worked at Courrèges from 1964 to 1965 before establishing his own label. Marcel Leyrat sold his shares in October 1965, while L’Oréal created Courrèges Parfums in December of that year. After skipping couture presentations for two consecutive seasons, the house closed its couture line in 1967 and concentrated on ready-to-wear under the “couture future” concept. L’Oréal acquired half of the company in 1968 to fund expansion. Courrèges opened a dedicated boutique on Paris’s Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in 1969, and by 1972 the brand reportedly had 125 boutiques worldwide. Its United States expansion included stores on Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles and Madison Avenue in New York. The company introduced menswear in 1973, but the line ended in 1986. Ownership changes weakened the founder’s control. L’Oréal sold its fashion-house stake to the Japanese company Itokin in 1982, while retaining the perfume business. The brand’s profitability declined, and it was sold to Epargne Developpement in 1990. A revival followed, including a Bloomingdale’s presence and a return to public fashion and retail activity. In the 1990s, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac briefly served as artistic director. André and Coqueline Courrèges regained control in 1994, and André retired the following year. Coqueline continued to oversee the creative direction until 2010. The Courrèges family sold the company in 2011 to Jacques Bungert and Frédéric Torloting. At that time, the business relied heavily on licensing, particularly in Japan, and had only one open flagship store. A relaunch later in 2011 used updated house classics, online retail and a partnership with Vente-Privée.com, with additional distribution through Colette. An Evian collaboration produced a limited-edition water bottle that year. Artémis acquired a minority stake in 2015 and purchased the remaining shares in 2018. Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant led the creative direction from 2015 to 2017, followed by Yolanda Zobel from 2018 to 2020. Zobel sought to reduce the use of vinyl and move the house toward a more environmentally responsible, potentially plastic-free identity. Adrien Da Maia became chief executive officer in 2020, and Nicolas Di Felice was appointed artistic director later that year. Di Felice presented his first collection in March 2021 and emphasized direct, wearable and youthful interpretations of Courrèges codes. The approach broadened the customer base and helped restore the brand’s visibility. Menswear was relaunched in 2021. The house also participated in cultural programming, including the “Over the Rainbow” exhibition at Centre Pompidou concerning LGBTQI+ artistic expression. Courrèges reported strong growth in the following period, with revenue described as doubling in 2023. The flagship at 40 Rue François Premier was redesigned by Bernard Dubois in 2020, while further stores and shop-in-shop locations opened in France, the United States and South Korea. Di Felice left in 2026, and Drew Henry was appointed as his successor.
- 2026
Drew Henry succeeds Nicolas Di Felice
[1]Henry becomes artistic director after Di Felice announces his departure.
- 2021
Di Felice presents his first collection and menswear returns
[1]The new creative direction begins and Courrèges reintroduces menswear.
- 2018
Artémis takes full control
[1]Artémis completes its acquisition of the fashion house.
- 2011
The brand is relaunched under new owners
[1]Jacques Bungert and Frédéric Torloting acquire Courrèges and relaunch updated house classics through digital and selective retail channels.
- 1994
The Courrèges family regains control
[1]André and Coqueline Courrèges recover control of the company after years of ownership changes.
- 1982
Itokin acquires L’Oréal’s fashion stake
[1]L’Oréal sells its share in the fashion house to Japanese company Itokin while retaining the perfume business.
- 1973
Menswear launches
[1]Courrèges introduces a men’s ready-to-wear line, which remains in operation until 1986.
- 1968
L’Oréal acquires half of the company
[1]The investment finances expansion and strengthens the relationship between the fashion and fragrance businesses.
- 1967
Couture gives way to ready-to-wear
[1]The house closes its couture line and continues with ready-to-wear described as “couture future.”
- 1964
Moon Girl collection establishes the Space Age identity
[1]The commercially successful collection brings vinyl, white boots and geometric silhouettes to international attention.
Products and positioning
French luxury fashion with a futuristic, minimalist and youth-oriented design identity, rooted in 1960s Space Age modernism.
Ready-to-wear · 1964
1964 Moon Girl collection
Courrèges’s breakthrough collection and a landmark of 1960s Space Age fashion. Its compact geometric silhouettes, strong white palette, short skirts, boots and use of vinyl helped establish the visual language most associated with the house.
Apparel · 1967
Women’s ready-to-wear
The core fashion business, developed after the couture line was closed in 1967. Contemporary collections reinterpret the house’s geometric construction, cropped proportions, graphic branding and futuristic materials for global luxury customers.
Apparel · 1973
Men’s ready-to-wear
Originally launched in 1973 and discontinued in 1986, menswear returned in 2021 under Nicolas Di Felice’s creative direction as part of the brand’s contemporary expansion.
Shoes
Footwear
Courrèges footwear is strongly associated with the white boot, a signature of the house’s 1960s modernist image. Later footwear continues to use streamlined shapes and graphic, futuristic details.
Fragrance · 1971
Empreinte
The house’s first fragrance, originally introduced in 1971. After being discontinued, Empreinte was reintroduced in 2021 as part of Courrèges’s renewed fragrance offering.
Fragrance · 1977
Amerique
A men’s fragrance introduced by Courrèges in 1977 during the period when the fashion house and its perfume activities were closely linked with L’Oréal.
Marketing campaigns
- 2023Over the Rainbow
France
Courrèges collaborated with Centre Pompidou on an exhibition addressing the artistic struggles and expression of the LGBTQI+ community.
Outcome. Connected the fashion house with contemporary cultural and social programming.
- 2011Courrèges relaunch
France · International
The new owners relaunched the brand with updated versions of historic Courrèges pieces, online distribution through Vente-Privée.com and selected placement at Colette.
Outcome. Re-established the label after a period in which its business was heavily dependent on licensing.
- 2011Evian limited-edition bottle collaboration
International
Courrèges collaborated with Evian on a limited-edition water bottle as part of the brand’s relaunch activity.
Outcome. Extended the house’s design language into a consumer collaboration.
Brand decisions
2021
Nicolas Di Felice’s contemporary relaunchGeneration changeBackground
Artémis appointed Di Felice after a period of changing creative leadership and sought to reconnect Courrèges with younger customers.
Action taken
Di Felice presented streamlined, youthful ready-to-wear that retained references to Courrèges’s geometric and futuristic heritage.
Aftermath
The approach increased fashion-industry attention, attracted many new customers and supported renewed growth.
2021
Menswear line returnsProduct launchBackground
Courrèges had discontinued its original menswear line in 1986.
Action taken
The house relaunched menswear under its new creative direction.
Aftermath
Menswear became part of the contemporary product architecture alongside women’s ready-to-wear, accessories and fragrance.
2020
Sustainability-led reduction of vinylStrategyBackground
Yolanda Zobel sought to update the brand’s material practices and address environmental concerns associated with its iconic vinyl.
Action taken
The house reduced its use of vinyl and pursued a more plastic-free positioning.
Aftermath
The decision demonstrated tension between preserving a historic design code and adapting the brand to sustainability expectations.
2018
Artémis acquires full ownershipM&ABackground
Artémis had held a minority stake since 2015 and sought full control of the fashion house.
Action taken
Artémis purchased the remaining shares in Courrèges.
Aftermath
The house entered a new investment phase involving successive creative directors and renewed international retail development.
2011
Commercial relaunch through house classicsStrategyBackground
Following the sale of the brand by the Courrèges family, the business had limited directly operated retail and relied substantially on licensing income.
Action taken
The new owners reintroduced updated versions of signature products through e-commerce and selected retail partners.
Aftermath
The relaunch restored visibility and prepared the brand for later creative and ownership changes.
1968
L’Oréal takes a 50 percent stakeM&ABackground
The fashion house required capital to support expansion, and L’Oréal was already involved in the fragrance business.
Action taken
L’Oréal acquired half of Courrèges.
Aftermath
The investment supported international expansion and linked the fashion house more closely with Courrèges Parfums.
1967
Shift from couture to ready-to-wearStrategyBackground
The house had skipped couture presentations for two consecutive seasons and faced the need to pursue a more commercially scalable model.
Action taken
Courrèges closed its couture line and continued with a ready-to-wear approach branded as “couture future.”
Aftermath
Ready-to-wear became the central fashion activity, while the brand retained a couture-associated design image.
Recent events
- 2026
Nicolas Di Felice to leave Courrèges[1]
Leadership change
Di Felice announced his departure to focus on personal projects after leading the brand’s contemporary revival.
- 2026
Drew Henry appointed artistic director[1]
Leadership change
Drew Henry was named Di Felice’s successor, with his first Courrèges collection scheduled for September 2026.
- 2021
Courrèges relaunches menswear[1]
Product launch
The house returned to menswear under Di Felice’s creative direction.
- 2021
Empreinte fragrance is reintroduced[1]
Product launch · Product generation
Courrèges brought back its historic Empreinte fragrance as part of its renewed beauty offering.
- 2020
Yolanda Zobel leaves Courrèges[1]
Leadership change
Zobel departed the house after a creative direction that emphasized sustainability and reduced reliance on the brand’s traditional vinyl material.
- 2020
Nicolas Di Felice appointed artistic director[1]
Leadership change
Di Felice was appointed to lead the brand’s creative direction and presented his first collection in 2021.
- 2018
Artémis becomes sole owner of Courrèges[1]
M&A
Pinault family investment group Artémis completed its acquisition of the fashion house after first taking a stake in 2015.
Sources2 sources
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