As Paris Fashion Week approaches, the fashion world holds its breath, ready to be dazzled by the latest creations from the biggest fashion houses.
Today, we have the opportunity to speak with Sébastien Meyer , co-founder of the Coperni brand, renowned for its bold innovations and avant-garde aesthetics.
Originally from Béziers, Sébastien has managed to make his way to the top of the fashion industry, while remaining true to his roots and his unique vision.
In this exclusive interview, conducted just before Fashion Week, he talks about his career, his inspirations and how he combines technology and elegance in his creations.
A rich exchange full of reflections and emotions, which plunges us into the heart of Coperni 's creative universe.
Listen to the podcast:
Renaud - GDC : Hello to our listeners and readers. Today, we are pleased to welcome Sébastien Meyer, co-founder of the Coperni brand. Sébastien is known for his avant-garde designs and innovative approach to fashion. He will talk to us about his journey, his inspirations, and how he combines technological innovation with timeless elegance. Sébastien, thank you for being with us today.
Sébastien - COPERNI : With pleasure, hello!
Renaud - GDC : We are very happy to have you with us. My first question: I know you are currently preparing for Fashion Week. Can you tell us more about how your days are organized at the moment?
Sébastien - COPERNI : So yes, we're showing in about a week in Paris during Fashion Week . Right now, to give you an idea, a week before the show, we're in the preparation phase. We've already received almost the entire collection, and now we're going to start putting together the looks, putting the clothes together, and assigning them. In a few days, we'll start the castings where the models will come to the office and we'll choose the looks that suit them. Then, we'll fit everything on them so that it fits perfectly. All of that will take about a week.
Renaud - GDC : Fashion Week is a key moment for you. What excites you most about presenting your collections to an international audience?
Sébastien - COPERNI : I think it's truly a celebration. Even though these are our creations and it's very personal, it's still a team effort. It's like a show: there's the music, the artist who creates the music, the casting director who brings their vision, the production company that implements everything, handles the lighting, the set design, etc.
It's truly a team effort, the culmination of six months of work and a vision we had, now coming to fruition. So it's a wonderful moment that we love creating together, but also sharing with everyone—whether they're industry professionals, journalists, influencers, celebrities, or people watching the show from their screens around the world. It's a beautiful event that takes place twice a year, in March and October, for summer and winter, and we absolutely love it. It's a lot of fun, a lot of pressure, but also a lot of emotion. It's fantastic.
Renaud - GDC : What are the main inspirations behind your latest collection?
Sébastien - COPERNI : We're going to have a fashion show at Disneyland Paris. It's the first time they've organized a show there, so it's going to be a really great moment. As you know, Disney means drawing inspiration from the whole Disney universe. We were inspired by lots of films with a strong "princess" theme. It's going to be about the evolution of a woman, from childhood to adulthood, with lots of moments of innocence and childhood joy, but also facing the outside world with villains, like you see in Disney movies. It's a bit like the transformation of this woman who becomes a princess. It's a bit like a day in the life of a young girl who becomes a woman, as seen through all the Disney films.
Renaud - GDC : This promises many surprises! Last year, we remember the painted dress on Bella Hadid. What were the main challenges you encountered in combining this technological and aesthetic innovation in ready-to-wear?
Sébastien - COPERNI : It was a year and a half, two years ago. We're passionate about technological innovation. For this fashion show, our goal was to create a truly beautiful moment, to celebrate the female form. We asked Bella to be the muse for the show, and we met Manuel Torres, a scientist who created this spray technology. It's a bit of a mission we set for ourselves, to shake things up and bring something new. Even though we sell fairly creative clothes, they're still real clothes. We don't sell high-tech clothing, but at least it inspires people and sparks a conversation. That's the most important thing.
Renaud - GDC : You are known for your bold collaborations. Can you tell us about a memorable collaboration that has left its mark on the brand?
Sébastien - COPERNI : The first significant event was during COVID. We couldn't hold our usual fashion shows, so we organized a show in partnership with DS Automobiles. They provided us with about 70 cars, and each car had a tested driver. Guests got into the car at home and drove to Bercy, where the cars drove into the venue. The models walked around the cars. It was an incredible moment, a bit of a celebration, because people hadn't been going out for a long time. The guests were so excited, they were jumping out of the sunroofs. It was a beautiful moment that went viral, covered by CNN, Forbes… It was the only show during Fashion Week, and it made us known for our somewhat "happening" shows.
"It is often under pressure that good ideas are found."
Renaud - GDC : Let's talk about shoes, if you had to associate Coperni with a pair of shoes, which would you choose?
Sébastien - COPERNI : It's complicated!
Right now I'm wearing Adidas Sambas. Something that's important to me is comfort and wearability, even if sometimes we design clothes that seem a bit impractical, images, etc. The foundation of our profession, though, is to make real clothes that sell, shoes that sell and are wearable in everyday life, and therefore comfortable. So that's also part of our challenge: constantly finding the right balance between creativity and wearability. So, I would say wearable and comfortable shoes.
Renaud - GDC : What advice would you give to young designers who want to launch their own brand?
Sébastien - COPERNI : You have to persevere, believe in your dreams, and be patient. Finding your brand identity takes time. You have to experiment, make mistakes, and try again. That's the key to success.
Renaud - GDC : What are your next creative challenges?
Sébastien - COPERNI : The next one is at Disneyland. It's a huge challenge. Disney is a large company with many rules and values. We have to honor them while adding the Coperni touch. It's also our biggest outdoor parade, with fireworks, lights… A 360° experience requires a lot of logistics.
Renaud - GDC : How will we be able to follow this parade?
Sébastien - COPERNI : We will do a live stream on our website , Instagram And TikTok Tuesday, October 1st at 10:30 PM. It's a bit late, but it fits the magical Disney atmosphere.
Renaud - GDC : You are originally from Béziers. Has this city influenced your career path?
Sébastien - COPERNI : Yes, even though I left quite early. Béziers remains a place of memories. I did circus work there; I was very creative. It certainly influenced my career.
Renaud - GDC : Are you familiar with GDC, formerly Chauss34?
Sébastien - COPERNI : Yes, of course! It was one of the first stores where we went to buy our shoes. I remember buying my shoes there for back to school or for birthdays. So yes, it's a store that marked my childhood.
Renaud - GDC : Thank you very much, Sébastien, for this exchange. See you very soon!
Sébastien - COPERNI : Thank you, see you soon!
This conversation with Sébastien Meyer takes us into the heart of Coperni's creative soul. Whether through its innovative runway shows or its bold collaborations, the brand constantly pushes the boundaries of what's possible. The upcoming show at Disneyland Paris promises to be an unforgettable moment, where elegance will meet magic.
What did you think of this interview? What are you expecting from the next Coperni collection? Share your thoughts in the comments, follow us for more exclusive content, and feel free to share this article with your fashion-loving friends. See you soon for more fashion adventures!
And to find the podcast on our YouTube channel, This way!
