Who are you?

I'm Elodie Doret, Chief Product Officer at LolaLiza.
Together with my teams of product managers, stylists, designers and administrators, I work on the development of our collections for our different countries and distribution channels.

Where does your interest in fashion come from?

My interest in fashion started when I was very young. My grandmother always wore beautiful outfits and especially beautiful accessories. I loved rummaging through her things and discovering treasures. I also remember an exhibition of Asian handicrafts at the Galeries Lafayette in Paris. I dreamed of becoming a buyer for that big shop, of travelling and bringing back treasures. So it was no surprise when, at the age of 18, I decided to do my first internship in India, in a textile factory. That's how the ball got rolling!

Why can't a dress be missing in a woman's wardrobe?

A dress is a sensual garment, because it shows off your curves. It reveals, accentuates or hides whatever you want. A dress makes you feel free and gives women more self-confidence. Depending on the dress, it makes women feel strong, beautiful, feminine or tough. But it is also an easy garment, as it immediately forms a complete outfit. Accessories set the tone and a dress can be worn from morning to evening, for any occasion. It is a garment that creates a distinctive look.

For which part of the selection process will you be the toughest?

The hardest part for the candidates will be to innovate and yet remain accessible, to design a new look that appeals to LolaLiza customers, and to present a bold but wearable and inclusive creation. In addition, the feeling and design of each candidate must be in line with that of LolaLiza.

What are the most important qualities for a young designer who wants to be successful in the industry today?

A young, up-and-coming designer needs to be innovative, bring a new value proposition and be able to tell the story behind it in a coherent way. It is important to listen to and understand future customers. That way, you can anticipate their future needs.

What are the main trends for 2024?

Colours are becoming softer and sorbet colours are on the rise. Tops and bottoms, plain or printed, will continue to compete with dresses. The dresses, on the other hand, get details such as openwork parts, beautiful backs, cut-outs ... and as such remain an important element at LolaLiza.

In a word, what do you expect to find at this Fashion School?

Beautiful encounters!