Charles Jourdan
Groupe Royer · France
Charles Jourdan is a French women's shoe brand founded by Charles Jourdan in Romans-sur-Isère after the First World War. Owned by Groupe Royer since 2008, it was relaunched in 2022 with Christelle Kocher as artistic director.
| Founder | Charles Jourdan |
|---|---|
| Origin | Romans-sur-Isère, France |
| Owner | Groupe Royer (since 2008) |
| Artistic director from 2022 | Christelle Kocher |
What is Charles Jourdan?
Charles Jourdan is a French footwear house best known for women's shoes. It was founded by Charles Jourdan (1883 to 1976) in Romans-sur-Isère, the centre of the French shoe industry, where he moved into a factory on Boulevard Voltaire in 1921.
History
- In the 1930s Jourdan was the first shoe designer to advertise in high-end fashion magazines
- In the 1960s and early 1970s its campaigns used imagery by photographer Guy Bourdin
- Ready-to-wear and handbags were added in 1975
- After a 2002 reorganisation, Patrick Cox and then Josephus Thimister became head designers
- Groupe Royer acquired the brand in 2008
A relaunch under a Groupe Royer licence began in 2010 and was halted in 2013, and a 2017 revival included a Paris flagship on Place de la Madeleine that later closed.
Products and positioning
In 2022 the house was relaunched with Christelle Kocher, founder of the label Koché, as artistic director. A capsule was shown at the Koché runway show in March 2022, with a new logo merging the C and J, and the autumn-winter 2022 shoe collection targeted a younger, sophisticated clientele. The Chanel-owned feather and flower specialist Lemarié was involved in the revival.
Why it matters
Charles Jourdan is one of the defining names in 20th-century French shoemaking, and its successive relaunches show the challenge of reviving dormant heritage brands.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Charles Jourdan?
Charles Jourdan has been owned by Groupe Royer since 2008.
Where is Charles Jourdan from?
Charles Jourdan comes from Romans-sur-Isère in the Drôme region of France, the historic centre of the French shoe industry.