CLEMENTS RIBEIRO

Clements Ribeiro is the design partnership of Suzanne Clements and Inacio Ribeiro. The couple met at Central Saint Martin’s School of Art.
Graduation, marriage and business followed in quick succession, the brand reflecting the strong synergy of their different backgrounds and personality. Suzanne is British, intuitive and dynamic; Inacio is Brazilian, articulate and introspective.

Eclectic and feminine, the Clements Ribeiro style is a direct reflection of such a mix, subverting traditional fashion elements with wit and intelligence, their deceptively simple designs are both easy and unconventional.
Colours, prints and materials are used in unexpected, innovative ways. Rather than revelling in excess, their mix and match approach strikes a fine balance between eccentricity and elegance – the designers like calling it ‘studied imbalance’.
Their ‘Bohemia’ has become a reference within British Fashion, their influence spread world wide.

Having ‘discovered’ Scottish cashmere very early on, Suzanne and Inacio re-introduced the noble and traditional fibre to a new generation. Treating the cashmere sweater as a t-shirt in striking irregular, multicoloured stripes, intarsia's or embroideries, the designers started a revolution that saw cashmere turning into a wardrobe staple.

The immediate success of their womenswear collections and shows in the late 90’s led to the launch of a menswear cashmere line, accessories and baby wear.
In 2000 Clements Ribeiro revived the house of Cacharel in Paris where they were creative directors until 2007
The designers have collaborated with many artists including Julie Verhoeven, Peter Saville, Celia Birtwell and Petre Broner, as well as shoe maestros Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin and Jimmy Choo.
Clements Ribeiro have also been endorsed by many celebrities, including Adele, Madonna, Nicole Kidman, Kate Moss, Kristen Stewart, Demi Moore, Thandie Newton, Cameron Diaz, Eva Green, Cate Blanchett, Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Jarvis Cocker, Tim Roth, Ewan McGregor and Michael Stipe.

In 2009 the designers re-introduced the line through a series of ‘up-cycling ‘ ranges they called Projects. Each Project is focused on transforming vintage fashion items, (vintage cashmere sweaters, silk scarves or embroidery elements for example), into unique pieces.