CHLOE Magazine Fall Winter 2017 CHLOE Fall Winter 2017 Digital | Page 18

“NOBODY KNOWS ME LIKE
JOSEPH RIBKOFF”
CELEBRATING
THE DESIGNER’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY
By Melina Morry
Joseph Ribkoff has been making waves in the fashion
industry for the past six decades. As the son of European
immigrants, Ribkoff opened his first fashion studio in
Montreal in 1957—where he also presented his first-ever
collection. Right from the start, his designs emulated a
genuine look that set his clothing apart from the crowd.
At that time—and arguably still today—the fashion
scene was highly influenced by French Haute Couture
collections, which were first debuted to select clientele
and then modified to be affordable for the buying public.
‘Parisian Chic’ heavily inspired Ribkoff’s collections—while
he still put his own spin on things.
Ribkoff’s high-fashion collections focus first and foremost
on style with a nod to comfortable wearability and
easy-care. Of course, never missing a beat when it comes
to day-to-night styles, his collections exude a unique
must-have quality. In the first few years after founding
his namesake brand, Joseph Ribkoff concentrated on
establishing his label in both Canada and the United
States—to an eager and stylish crowd.