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Revealing the essence of women
It was in the elegant setting of the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, during a fashion show of her summer 2026 collection, that we met Anne Fontaine. Passionate, radiant, and creative, she has built a fashion house that has celebrated elegance and femininity for thirty years.
Anne Fontaine always knew that fashion would be a part of her life. “At ten, I created my first dress. I loved fabrics,” she says. Born in Brazil, and a nature lover since childhood, she went to live with the indigenous peoples of the Amazon rainforest before she turned eighteen, an experience that would profoundly shape her worldview. She then came to Paris for her studies, never turning her back on fashion. At twenty, she founded her eponymous fashion house around a piece that has become her signature: the white shirt. A story of fashion, but also a beautiful love story. The man who would become her husband, from a family of shirtmakers for haute couture, showed her an old trunk filled with vintage designs. From there, a whole world was born.
The white shirt, sexy and timeless
“There’s nothing sexier than a beautiful white shirt.” For Anne Fontaine, this conviction is nothing new. From the very beginning, she has been reinventing this essential piece: “For me, the white shirt has always been a symbol of femininity.” Classic, lace, embroidered, or sculpted, it reinvents itself each season without ever losing its essence. Anne Fontaine designs her own lace and prints, driven by the same passion for fabrics that captivated her as a child. For the designer, a garment only has meaning if it reveals the woman who wears it: “When a woman wears my creations, everyone notices her. And I tell her, ‘That’s because you feel good in your own skin.’” She creates with the conviction that a well-designed garment empowers and allows each woman to fully express herself. She focuses on quality and durability: “My clients have been wearing my pieces for years.” True luxury lies in fine fabrics and timeless pieces.
Summer memories
The French Riviera holds a special place in Anne Fontaine's heart. In Cannes, on the Croisette, and in Monaco, her boutiques are two gems, as she likes to call them. This Mediterranean light naturally infuses her Spring/Summer 2026 collection, Souvenirs d'été (Summer Memories). Inspired by her travels between the Riviera and the Cyclades, she envisions a luminous wardrobe dominated by the deep blues of the sea, brilliant whites, and natural fabrics. White lace shirts converse with fluid silhouettes in linen, poplin, and silk, punctuated with delicate embroidery. The collection also lends itself to elegant evening wear, as seen in the Cheryl dress in silk organza with ruffles. Among the key pieces are the Scarlett mini-bag, the Mafalda dress, and the Camomille mules. A wardrobe that celebrates those summer moments we cherish.
Passing it on to his daughters
Beyond the designer, there's the activist committed to reforestation in Brazil and the mother of three young girls who are already taking their first steps within the company. Passing it on is a given for her: "It's a family business, and I want everything we've built to last." With 50 boutiques and 100 points of sale worldwide, Anne Fontaine stands out in a sector where so many brands have been acquired by large corporations. It's a passionate family story that she hopes will continue for many years to come.
