The designer Serge Ruffieux, known for his work at Dior and Carven, has recently branched out on his own with a collection of accessories.&nbsp;

Serge Ruffieux has spent the better part of two decades working under legends like <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/sonia-rykiel-most-iconic-fashion-moments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sonia Rykiel</a>, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/john-galliano-dior-y2k-runway-trends" target="_blank" rel="noopener">John Galliano</a>, and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/raf-simons-fred-perry-collection-spring-summer-2021-photos">Raf&nbsp;Simons</a>&mdash;even taking over as interim artistic director for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/the-new-look-christian-dior-coco-chanel-rivalry-apple-tv-plus-tv-show">Dior</a> alongside fellow Swiss designer <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/jil-sander-fall-winter-2021-lucie-luke-meier">Lucie Meier</a>&mdash;before being appointed creative director of Carven. Now, the accomplished designer has founded his own brand of accessories: 13 09 SR.
Growing up in the Vall&eacute;e de Joux in Switzerland, the young Ruffieux developed an interest in fashion alongside a stylish mother and grandmother, a father who was a watchmaker at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/watches/jaeger-lecoultre-polaris-2019">Jaeger-LeCoultre</a>, and an aunt who worked in the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/history-of-maison-schiaparelli-elsa-schiaparelli-shocking-pink-daniel-roseberry">Schiaparelli</a> workshops. Like all style-obsessed youth, he began to dream of Paris&mdash;not of its glitter and nightclubs, but of its ateliers and&nbsp;fashion shows. Ruffieux left school at the age of 15 and trained in sewing before attending the Haute &Eacute;cole d&rsquo;Art et de Design in Geneva, from which he graduated in 1997. From there, he interned with <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/desigual-christian-lacroix-10-year-anniversary">Christian Lacroix</a>, Martine Sitbon, and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/sonia-rykiel-eric-and-michael-dayan-interview" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sonia Rykiel</a> in Paris, before leaving for Italy, where he joined <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/every-look-moschino-spring-summer-2022-nyfw-runway">Moschino</a> as a designer. While Ruffieux enjoyed his work, he missed Paris, and eventually returned to the City of Lights.

Photo: Valentin Abad

"I find it more interesting to start upsidedown; I have always done it that way.&rdquo;

Ruffieux&rsquo;s own brand, 13 09 SR, was born during a conversation with former Le Figaro&nbsp;journalist &Eacute;milie Faure. She suggested that they work together on a brand of his own as a sort of creative exercise for both of them. Not 24 hours later, Ruffieux took her up on the offer, but wanted to skip the trial run: &ldquo;I think I know what I want, and so do you, so let's&nbsp;do it,&rdquo; he told her.
13 09 SR, named after Ruffieux&rsquo;s birthdate and initials, draws inspiration from sports and the Arts and Crafts aesthetic.&nbsp;Made from deadstock and recycled materials, the collection features&nbsp;playful slingbacks, sandals, and statement-making sunglasses&nbsp;with embellished neoprene straps.

&ldquo;It took a long time to put things in place,&rdquo; says the designer. &ldquo;Being a young entrepreneur is a lot of pressure, but it is also an extremely rich and creative experience. I&rsquo;m very excited to be doing this with &Eacute;milie, and I&rsquo;m glad that she pushed me. I found that there were already too many clothes and that if I had something to say, it wouldn&rsquo;t start with garments. I&rsquo;m going to get there, but I have to start imposing my codes from the ends&mdash;so the accessories&mdash;to define a silhouette. I find it more interesting to start upsidedown; I have always done it that way.&rdquo;
Ruffieux deviates from many of his peers by doing away with the idea of the muse. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t have a muse; I find it boring and reductive. I never wanted to put people in a box; it drives me crazy,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve never had a fantasy of women. From the beginning, I have always worked a lot with women and never needed&nbsp;to idealize them. Look at my shoes&mdash;they have no heels; nothing is exaggerated I try to express meaning while still considering reality."&nbsp;

Designer Serge Ruffieux Launches Accessory Collection

Tags

Related Articles

Fashion

The Dior Vibe Brings Back the Y2K Bowling Bag Trend

Fashion

A History of Maison Schiaparelli

Fashion

Dior's New Book Revisits the Whimsical Era of John Galliano

Recommended posts for you

Pop culture

Celebrities to See on Broadway Right Now

Fashion

11 Destination Fashion Shows in 2024

Fashion

Gigi Hadid's Best Bikini Moments Over the Years

Pop culture

Young Photos of Adam Brody

Fashion

See All the Celebrities at Louis Vuitton's Pre-Fall 2024 Show

Pop culture

Why The Internet is Obsessed With Nico Hiraga

Pop culture

Suri Cruise Celebrates Her 18th Birthday

Music

Everything to Know About Taylor Swift's New Album 'The Tortured Poets Department'