The scent of creativity hangs in the air, mingling with the whispers of silk and the rustle of linen. In the heart of Lyon’s Passage Thiaffait, a place where vibrant banners intertwine and designer boutiques jostle for attention, a quiet revolution is taking place. Here, amidst the beautiful declarations whispered as compliments, sits the atelier of Zoé Gimond, a young designer who, at just 28, is weaving her own unique narrative into the fabric of French fashion.
The Unspoken Language of Compliments
It was an impromptu visit, a fleeting moment when two foreign tourists, captivated by the displays, uttered the words that echoed like a validation: “It’s so nice.” They spoke of the creations of Zoé Gimond, before she even had a chance to introduce herself. Though no purchase was made, those simple words, spoken in English, served as a powerful affirmation. They confirmed that her decision to embrace the world of fashion, and to dedicate the past four years to mastering its intricate dance, was unequivocally the right one.
For years, Zoé honed her craft in the intimacy of her home, alternating between dressmaking patterns on her mannequins and the silhouettes of her most privileged clients: her parents, her brother, and her sister. “I even made clothes for myself,” she recounts, gesturing to a skirt, a direct manifestation of her imagination, tied elegantly around her waist.
Vêtement Vivant: Where High-End Meets Adaptability
Her journey began with Atelier Gimond, a name that evolved seven months ago into the more evocative “Vêtement Vivant” – Living Garment. This rebranding was a thoughtful reflection of her distinct style: high-end women’s ready-to-wear, characterized by garments that are “not restrictive, quite flexible, that live around you.”
A recent photoshoot for Vêtement Vivant showcases the fluidity and elegance of her designs. Zoé’s philosophy is rooted in durability and adaptability. “I try to make them as adjustable as possible. We have sizes, of course, but you can have an XS or an S that merge, the same for an M and an L. There’s an ease in the garment that allows it to adapt to a moment in one’s life. The goal is to have durable pieces,” explains Zoé, whose creations are meticulously crafted from 100% natural materials such as linen, silk, and wool.
“I offer sizes, but we’re talking about semi-custom. The objective is for the clothes to fit perfectly and to correspond to what customers want,” she adds, paying homage to her favorite couturier, Rick Owens, who famously stated that “style is a gift to others.”
This innovative approach, a middle ground between bespoke tailoring and conventional ready-to-wear, is beautifully exemplified in the Vêtement Vivant boutique. The racks display a limited number of pieces, serving as “prototypes” for customers to try on before undergoing minor alterations, performed right there on a sewing machine that eagerly awaits its next task. “I work a lot on demand. I find that it makes the piece more precious. When you are a consumer and a piece is made for you, it’s a small added value,” she emphasizes.
From Student to Teacher: A Flattering Recognition
Among her favorites, despite two collections designed each year, one piece consistently comes to mind: “a long, very loose dress, adjustable with lacing at the back.” “It’s a product I’d like to develop further. But generally, customers often come to me when they want to dress for an event,” explains Zoé, who also dedicates her time to teaching at the Esmod school on Rue Burdeau. This is a particularly gratifying recognition for someone who once walked those very halls as a student from 2015 to 2018.
“It’s very flattering, and it also says a lot about my work. It proves that I bring quality and that I have a profile that appeals,” she continues, a hint of pride in her voice.
On the slopes of Lyon, where Zoé Gimond hopes her reputation will soar, her atelier remains an intimate sanctuary. Here, she skillfully juggles “between orders, research, experimentation, and creation.” This demanding process requires both time and financial investment. Consequently, the couturier is prepared to refocus on this creative cocoon for a while before gradually venturing into e-commerce. This is an intermediate step before she allows herself to be carried towards the ultimate dream of every designer: to be at the helm of her own flagship boutique.
But no matter the path, fashion, as Zoé knows, is intrinsically linked to self-expression: “beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself!”
Source: https://www.lyonpeople.com/actualites-lyon/actualites-people-lyonnais/les-nouveaux-visages-de-lyon-zoe-gimond-le-pret-a-porter-son-fil-dariane-2026-08-16.html
