In Bed with Leroy | Stephane Rolland

Dear Readers,

Every Thursday, yours truly, ventures into the world of fashion, art and miracles and comes back to find you a sewing saviour. My job is to introduce Vancouver to the people in the industry that are so cutting-edge, so modern yet original, and so brilliant that you simply must “get in bed with them”. This segment is something I like to call “In Bed With Leroy”. Hello! I’m Leroy!

This week; well, you know that tiny ceremony two people have when they switch symbolic rings that are a metaphor for their irrevocable love for one another, and they invite their friends and family who all get to eat free cake? The ceremony that happens before you get “in bed”?

Well, I found a scholar who grew up in the South of France and the West Indies as a kid who designs dresses for said ceremony like you would not believe. They are the once-in-a-lifetime, fantasy celestial creations that are the reasons for the show “Bride Wars”. Or TLC in general. And if Stacey or Clinton had anything bad to say about these ethereal essentials, I may have to remove some weaves.

His name, is Stephane Rolland.

Here is his fierce roar of a resume.

This native of France always aspired to be a haute coutourier. Though many call their creations couture, little actually can abide by the tough and strict standards of the art form; but it was always his dream.

In order to create genuine, real haute couture is very specific. It needs to be made, fitted and customized for one person alone, completely hand-done by at least 15 of the best fulltime seamstresses to great detail with ancient complicated sewing techniques and also to be created in an atelier in France. You must present formally at least twice a year to French press. It is the art of sewing, a form that has become so prestigious, that it is protected by French law and enforced by a board named “La Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture” whom regulates couture standards. The Chambre also offers teachings of the specific and traditional guidelines; and was the school Stephane Rolland went to.

After, only at the young age of 20, joining fashion house Balenciaga and being promoted to men’s creative director in a short year, seems like the cards were lined up for Rolland to have his lucky day.

After some years of working at the legendary fashion house, Rolland left four years later to run his own pret-a-porter business. While working and building up his green roledex, a friend who owned his own haute couture house was desperate for a suitting manager. It seems Stephane was the right fit.

Gaining experience, once again, managing the house, this time around, Rolland was no longer barred in the sometimes bland world of men’s dress shirts and dress pants. With a Cannes Film Festival official costume designer deal, also in the works, this time around, Rolland took a no-bars approach to womyn’s haute couture fashion. He was a natural.

On July 2nd, 2007; Stephane presented his first haute couture collection to critical praise. Dubbed the new Dior, Rolland created evening wear for old Hollywood sirens with a dash of Las Vegas, or wedding gowns with a dash of Jane Fonda’s “Barberella”. It is as if Paco Rabbane and Christian Dior had a baby who wore Lanvin.

You can currently stream Stephane Rolland’s 2013 collections at his website http://stephanerolland.com.

With love and style, Leroy Wan