French designer’s Hong Kong visit a leather-heavy show

For a master of leather, Jean-Claude Jitrois is dressed, for once, in jeans and simple white T-shirt.

The busy 72-year-old French designer made a visit to Hong Kong recently to see private clients, promote an art collaboration and just “for the love of it.” But leather is never far away and mid-interview Jitrois is paid a visit by artist Stanley Wong, better known as Anothermountainman.

Thus begins an impromptu preview of the work – two black leather shirts with hand-painted motifs and slogans – to be auctioned off for charity later that evening.

A committed globalist, Jitrois is keen to bring his own creations to China and Hong Kong but keener still and to find inspiration anywhere he can find it. As well as its expertise with leather, the French maison has become synonymous with art and artistic collaboration. Jitrois’ current focus, for both commerce and culture, is firmly set on Asia.

Founded in 1983, Jitrois has a devoted celebrity following including Lady Gaga and Beyoncé and Chinese stars such as Carina Lau and Zhang ZiyiJitrois is enjoying something of a resurgence in China, which was boosted after Zheng Jun, a judge on the popular TV show The Voice of China, wore one of the brand’s outfits a few years ago.