Caroline in the Country: Jacquemus SS12

Homey linen, boxy cuts, and colors that look perfect with bare legs. Jacquemus’ latest collection of airy pleated dresses, “Le Chenil” (the kennel), is about country comforts and taking the dogs out. In his second outing at OC, young Parisian designer Simon Porte Jacquemus seals his place in our hearts with his unique approach to truly timeless clothing. Swinging long-sleeved dresses in simple block colors feel both blissfully authentic and refreshingly new.

This season, the designer has found his perfect poster girl in iconic French model Caroline de Maigret. Fresh of face, long of bang, and full of toothy smiles, she's the ultimate embodiment of all things Jacquemus. Watch her groom her Pomeranian in the video lookbook below and read my Q & A with Simon.

Shop all Jacquemus here.

Alice Newell-Hanson: How did you come about working with Caroline?
Simon Porte Jacquemus: I saw her at the Margiela show, and I fell in love. She looks like my mother, she has this very special kind of beauty, true and simple at the same time. I can't even describe it!

ANH: How would you sum up the spirit of Le Chenil?
SPJ: I wanted the dresses to look very old, like your grandmother's dresses. They're clothes with a story, so you might not even think that they're new pieces.

ANH: I love the film! Where was it shot?
SPJ: In the countryside, one hour from Paris.

ANH: What was the most memorable part of shooting it?
SPJ: When Caroline tried to run after her dogs in her muddy boots.

ANH: Did you have dogs growing up?
SPJ: My only dog was Polux, he wasn't any special breed, but when I lost him I decided to never get another dog, so I'd never feel what my little nine-years-old's heart felt!

Shop all Jacquemus here.

JACQUEMUS / LE CHENIL by BERTRAND LE PLUARD.