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Fashion by hand : Craft, authenticity and the future of style

Homo Faber Conversations

  • Events, Paris
  • Wed 17 Jun 2026, 19:00
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Chemena Kamali © David Sims + Manveen Rana © All rights reserved
Chemena Kamali © David Sims + Manveen Rana © All rights reserved

Location

Studio Marie-Claude Beaud

Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain

Porte Saint-Honoré

Directions

In this age of speed, mass production and overconsumption, the hands of the skilled artisan can restore intention, substance, rhythm and humanity to contemporary fashion. German designer Chemena Kamali seeks to create a contemporary fashion language through traditional craftsmanship, textile knowledge and storytelling, a process that results in garments with emotional depth and authenticity.

Her practice shows how craftsmanship in fashion can help consumers slow down, reconnect with what they wear, and find a sense of identity and meaning through handcrafted items of clothing that chime with their values and reflect their personal spirit. In this conversation, Chemena discusses her commitment to the ethos of ‘fashioned by hand’, sharing her thoughts on the value of time, care and expertise in the making process, the importance of giving visibility to the hands behind the garments, and how craft and storytelling can intertwine to create clothes that hold memories, a sense of place and meaning.

Moderator Manveen Rana will introduce the speaker and direct the conversation, followed by a Q&A session with the audience.

CHEMENA KAMALI COURTESY OF DAVID SIMS LANDSCAPE

Chemena Kamali

Creative Director of Chloé

Born in Germany in 1981, Chemena Kamali graduated with a Master of Arts in Fashion from Central Saint Martins University of the Arts in London under the mentorship of Professor Louise Wilson. With over two decades of experience, the German designer’s connection to Chloé spans much of her career, having joined the maison during two defining periods. Kamali later held the position of Women’s Ready-to-Wear Design Director at Saint Laurent before she returned to Chloé as Creative Director in October 2023.

Manveen Rana Moderator©All rights reserved

Manveen Rana

Journaliste

Manveen Rana is a senior broadcast journalist who has hosted The Story, the daily news podcast from The Times, since March 2020. Formerly she worked for the BBC as a reporter for the Today programme, World At One, PM and BBC News. She has won multiple awards, including a Peabody and Interview of the Year at the British Podcast Awards. She also presented the opening event at the British Pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2018. She is an ambassador for Halo and Supporting Wounded Veterans.

Homo Faber Conversations is presented by the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship in collaboration with the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain. This curated programme of monthly themed talks invites international creators, thinkers and cultural leaders to explore the growing convergence of craft and contemporary art. Grounded in the core values of craftsmanship, and open to all curious minds, the programme aims to spark dialogue and redefine how the world views human creation.

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