Chanel Joan Elkayam A Profile
Chanel Joan Elkayam, aged a mere 22, is currently a BA Womenswear student at Central Saint Martins, one of the most international renowned and recognised fashion schools, having nurtured such talent as McQueen and Galliano in the past.
Despite her young age, Chanel Joan Elkayam is the youngest fashion designer to have already showcased a couture collection in Paris Fashion Week (18 years old), New York Fashion Week (19 years old), London Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week (both at the age of 20 years old). This feat makes Chanel Joan the youngest fashion designer in history to complete the big four fashion weeks by the age of 20 years old and within the first four years of her career as a fashion designer.
Every Womenswear collection designed by Chanel Joan Elkayam combines both sophistication and glamour. The simple and timeless appearance of her collections appeal to all tastes with their slender silhouettes, alluring cuts and sensual fabrics. Notable pieces within her designs have been embroidered with diamonds, Swarovski crystals and glass beads.
Her designs have appealed to the global press and media. She has been interviewed on television in China, India, France and Israel. She also received acclaim from global journalists and fashion bloggers after her showcases. In addition to that Chanel was selected to participate in a project by the Chinese national television as 1 of the 100 most interesting people from across the globe.
As well as showcasing her designs at the big four fashion weeks, Chanel Joan Elkayam’s designs have been shown on other prestigious catwalks such as The Women in Business Expo, The International Quilt Show, L’Oréal Colour Trophy, Babyliss Stylist Pro Hair Show and Manchester Fashion Week and she has already been awarded The John Carters Award, Young Designer of the Year UK (2015) and the International Designer of the Year 2016 (Awarded by the New York Fashion Awards).
With so many accolades already under her belt and with an even brighter future, Absolute Magazine were only too thrilled to accept an invitation to view Chanel Joan Elkayam’s latest collection at London Fashion Week and meet with the rising star to learn the story behind the success.
Tell us about the start up of your brand and your journey into the world of fashion. How did it begin?
I started my brand when I was 16 years old. My mother inspired me to chase my dreams and not to delay anything. She gave me confidence, teaching me that age should not be a barrier to starting my career. I think it is important to pursue your dreams.
How has the business grown to be where it is now? What has contributed to your success?
Over the last 6 years my brand has grown from strength to strength. After starting my brand at 16 years old and showcasing my first collection in Manchester, I was invited to showcase my second collection in Paris Fashion week. From there it was like a domino effect and I kept climbing in the industry. I showcased in the big four fashion weeks before I turned 20 years old. My determination and a lot of hard work has contributed to my success. I put many hours of work into each design.
What inspires you and your designs ?
All my collections have emotion and there’s meaning behind them. It is all part of my design aesthetic. I enjoy gaining inspiration from stories, people, places and conceptual thoughts. I create my designs thinking about how it will highlight the beauty of every woman.
Now you’re recognised globally for your designs and collections, have you worked with any big names or commissions you can share with us ?
I have some really amazing projects coming up, for which I can’t reveal details yet!
How has the advent of social media impacted on you, I can see from your online presence you seem to embrace this?
I believe that social media can be a very good source if you use it in the right way. Whilst many millennials are now wasting time on social media, with no real purpose, just looking at who’s in a relationship with who or who has what, I am using social media for professional purposes and to push my brand further.
What materials do you enjoy working with most ?
I really like working with heavy weight weaves and lighter weight fabrics such as silk, organza and chiffon.
How do you stay relevant and current?
I believe that my collections are timeless. One design can have the label of being from my 2017 collection, for example, however you can wear it now, in ten years and in fifty years time. I create designs that last and don’t follow trends. I start trends.
Which project’s are you really excited about for 2020. Are there any future plans you can share with us?
I am very excited about my current collection which is due to be showcased in London Fashion Week on the 13th of February 2020. I am also very excited to be graduating from Central Saint Martins in June; the worlds most prestigious university for fashion design.
Why are your designs loved by so many people globally ? Explain what a Chanel Joan Elkayam client gets.
The Chanel Joan Elkayam client highlights the best of her character through my designs. In particular my bespoke services. She is an independent woman who believes in the empowerment of women.
She is a boss. Feminine, seductive and elegant. Fearless and unstoppable. Powerful and comfortable in her own body.
How has your time at Central Saint Martins impacted on your style ? Do you feel the schools high creativity levels and past students have contributed to further your success?
Central Saint Martins has really shaped me. The university focus around self development and individual work management where you need to push yourself by yourself and then take a few words of advise from the tutors. I feel this method has really brought out the best in me, creatively.
I really enjoy walking through the doors each morning and seeing all the wonderful creatives around me. Everyone is always striving to be the better designer. I feel I have taken this energetic creativity into my designs but at the same time my pieces are wearable. This results in my designs having a very unique creative element, making them unique but ready to wear.