THE NEW COLLECTION

FRAGONARD X JAMIE BECK
 

The new capsule collection Fragonard x Jamie Beck, Comprising eight items - blouses, skirts and dresses - the Fragonard x Jamie Beck collection is inspired by the poetic floral motifs and prints of the 18th century, all originating from the Musée Provençal du Costume et du Bijou (Provencal Costume & Jewelry Museum) in Grasse. Embellished with handmade embroidery and screen prints, as well as traditional Indian wood block designs, the limited edition will be available in our boutiques from May 2024.

Find out more about Jamie Beck and go behind the scenes of this collection

"In India with a Provencal American"
Jamie Beck - Photographer 

My name is Jamie Beck.
I’m an American photographer living in the South of France,
most known for my New York Times best selling book,  An American in Provence.

India. It’s a hard question to answer when asked “how was it?” How can you answer, “Everything” and even come close to capturing what that could possibly mean. But before we open Pandora's box, let me tell you how this unexpected journey came to be.

I discovered the rich history of Fragonard’s Provencal fashion museum, fashion photography being my main professional trade before giving up my Manhattan commercial studio, for a small, natural light art studio in Provence some 7 years ago, as a fashion photographer in New York, my job with clothing was focused on perfection and idealism, now in the South of France, it is about storytelling.

As a fashion photographer in New York, my job with clothing was focused on perfection and idealism, now in the South of France, it is about storytelling. When I first moved to France, I didn’t know anybody, I didn’t speak the language, and I had no one to photograph. So, I began photographing myself. Telling my story, documenting my evolution, through photography and using fashion as the language tool. When I met the fashion team at Fragonard and experienced the museum in Grasse, fashion changed again for me. Cultural richness, history, craftsmanship, and how global trade affected influence then became a textile I could touch. Another layer of defining France in my journey of discovery.

Over lunch with the Fragonard team in Aix-en-Provence to celebrate their newest store opening, I mentioned visiting India was a dream of mine. As a photographer, I have had the privilege to travel the world for work most of my life, and yet, never to India. To my surprise, they responded by asking, “We are going next week, would you like to come with us?”

I immediately said yes, and there I was a week later, boarding a plane to Mumbai.

“

There I was 

a week later,

boarding

a plane to

Mumbai

(...)

First

impression,

India is a place

of startling

contrasts.

”

“

Just when you

think you’ve

seen it all,

India shows you

a world

of endless

wonder.


”

I adored the little floral prints, the joys of colors. The contrast, again, of the world of whimsy being created on linen to goats sleeping in the studio doorways in the center of one of the biggest cities in the world.

There was a moment when I saw a piece of floral fabric that took my breath away. I held it up to my chest to imagine what it would be like as a dress. When I looked up, the fashion team was staring back at me and they too, began to dream. Can we bring to life this journey to India with our adopted Provencal girl? If I could wear it, how would I wear it, and what would it look like back home in the South of France?

We began to sketch what ultimately became this special capsule collection. Something lined in French history, its admiration to Indian craftsmanship, and put to practical daily use no matter if you’re wandering through the flower market at sunrise in Jaipur or the Provencal farmer’s market buying your daily groceries.

I could go on about the experience of India, but again, it’s impossible to grasp everything India gives you. Peacocks watching you from tree tops, the beauty of a sari, the food, my god the food. Art, textiles, culture, population, traffic, rickshaws, fluidity, gardens, slums, palaces, animals, death, decay, newness, and just everything, everything, that we call life.

Sitting back in France, when I think about India now there is one vision that always comes to mind fi rst. There I was standing in a dark windowless room on the top fl oor of the City Palace in Jaipur while the Indian guard felt that same beguiling emotion as when I fi rst laid eyes on India. And that is her magic. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, she shows you a world of endless wonder, where life can still be, everything.