STYLE SPOTLIGHT
Emmanuelle Khanh Art de Vivre BY JOAN GRADY
Fashion trends in the 1980s were all about big, bold style with exaggerated shoulder pads, oversized blazers, power suits and copious amounts of hair. Eyewear was voluminous too, with marketing focused on captivating, free-spirited spectacles. These quintessential frames were frequently created by an influential French designer of the era: Emmanuelle Khanh. If social media had existed then, Emmanuelle’s statement frames would probably have received an avalanche of ‘likes’. Decades later, Emmanuelle Khanh Eyewear continues to attract global attention, including with wholesale and retail businesses – particularly independent opticians who are drawn to the timeless authenticity and charismatic styles. Sadly, Emmanuelle passed away in 2017, but her legacy carries on with the innovative concepts of a young, elegant, chic and dynamic French woman who Emmanuelle Khanh on the cover captures the of French ELLE – circa 1980s vitality, depth and originality of the founder.
Silmo d’Or awards] and then joined the luxury jewellery house Piaget in Switzerland right after graduation. After a few months, I came back to Paris and was appointed at Emmanuelle Khanh, as the brand was willing to pursue new creative directions.”
PURSUITS AND PERSPECTIVE Eva and I reflected fondly on our meetings with the French designer, albeit years apart, and Madame Khanh left a lasting impression on us both. “I met Emmanuelle Khanh in 2016,” Eva recalled. “It was a great moment, and allowed me to have a deeper understanding of the brand, not especially on eyewear, but more on the Emmanuelle Khanh Art de Vivre, and the relationship the brand had built between women and their fashion for the last 50 years.
Parisian designer Emmanuelle Khanh
Eyewear quickly became the perfect inbetween field, allowing me to explore the body and fashion through the face, experimenting with materials and playing with identity and styles.
“We shared a strong desire to design for real women we love, our muses. Today, as the artistic director of the brand, my work is always inspired by the brand legacy, Madame Khanh’s avant-garde vision, but also my own journey and the aspirations of today’s women. I feel very emotionally connected with the brand.”
“As Emmanuelle Khanh Eyewear was being re-launched, I had the chance to be part of the new story,” continues Eva. “I started to design for EK as a freelancer while I was still a student. Winning two design prizes, I also collaborated with Jeremy Tarian [the French eyewear designer who has achieved several
Currently at the helm at Emmanuelle Khanh is Eva Gaumé, who embraces the essence and direction of the designer’s far-reaching attitude and perspective on life. As creative director of eyewear and image for the brand, her studies, expanding knowledge and experience are an inspiring catalyst on this exciting journey.
EMBRACING EYEWEAR Eva reflects on her introduction and energising opportunity with Emmanuelle Khanh: “I graduated from the prestigious school of art and design in Geneva, HEAD, specialising in jewellery and accessories.
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Vision Now MAY 2021
Eva Gaumé, creative director eyewear and image for EK
EK statement – dash and daring
