MARANT & Marant Etoile Explained

If we are going to talk about the difference between Marant Etoile and Isabel Marant we have to start with the much-loved designer behind the brand. The iconic Parisian designer blends relaxed tailoring with her androgynous, bohemian aesthetic. Providing wearable clothing for both men and women inspired by her personal wardrobe needs, her cult following continues to grow. Here's everything you need to know about the brand...

Who is Isabel Marant?

Isabel Marant was born in Paris in 1967 to a German mother and a French photographer father. Her parents divorced when she was seven and Marant was raised primarily by her father and stepmother, who was always dressed head to toe in Yves Saint Laurent. From the age of 10, Isabel (originally Isabelle) was sick of the sophistication of French fashion. She knew had a love for fashion but that it wasn’t what she wanted to wear.

So, she decided to make her own clothes with a sewing machine and her dad’s old wardrobe. Soon, her friends began asking her to recreate pieces. However, she didn't think a career in fashion was for her and preferred the idea of being a veteran. It was only when she started making a profit, did she change her mind from economics to studying design at the prestigious Studio Berçot fashion school in Paris in 1985.

Isabel Marant

Isabel Marant is the sartorial interpretation of Parisian style; feminine, nonchalant and always classy. Launching in 1994, Marant opened a studio in Paris' trendy Marais district after working alongside Bridget Yorke. They collaborated on two collections and assisted art director Marc Ascoli on projects for Chloé, Martine Sitbon, and Yohji Yamamoto. The following year, in 1995, she showed her first collection at Paris Fashion Week with her friends as models.

My strength is myself, my perspective as a woman. Everything starts with my point of view, and what I would like to wear today, that has always guided everything. I wanted to create a garment to dress myself in.

Across a career spanning almost thirty years in fashion, Isabel Marant has built one of the industry’s most recognisable and loved brands. Her signature is more philosophical than simply aesthetic; it is based on ease, reality, sincerity, comfort, and elevation. Her minimalist style and luxe-bohemian style collections still make their way into every fashion-savvy women's wardrobe.

Isabel Marant Lara Floral-Print Stretch-Silk Mini Dress

RRP: ~~£195.00~~Current price: £59.00

70% Off

Isabel Marant Women's Lennyo Suede Sandals

What is Marant Étoile?

In 1999 Isabel Marant debuted the diffusion line, Etoile by Isabel Marant, at the Paris ready-to-wear shows, and the next year she introduced the first full Etoile collection. In 1999, a second shop was opened in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Followed by the third in the Marais in 2007, and the fourth in the 16th arrondissement in 2012. Marant said that everyone thinks,

Etoile is the main line’s poor little sister but I love it. I wear it all the time, with a nice pair of boots. It’s the easy part of the collection that I love to do.

Etoile is where the true Isabel Marant fangirls shop because they know that certain pieces are likely to be there, no matter what season it is. Renowned for a good pair of jeans, a classic Tee’s, a quilted jacket and a military-style jacket that’s also not so military, Etoile provides “Real clothes for real moments”.

Isabel Marant Louane Floral-Print Silk Crepe Mini Dress

Isabel Marant Diana Stretch-Jersey Mini Dress

Isabel Marant Darwen Large Nylon Tote Bag

RRP: ~~£195.00~~Current price: £137.00

30% Off

Who wears Marant Etoile?

Who doesn’t wear Isabel Marant Etoile? She is literally THE downtime designer go-to for the likes of Alexa Chung, Sienna Miller, Beyoncé Knowles and Racheal Weisz. Along with her elite model circle including Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Gisele Bundchen, Miranda Kerr and Alessandra Ambrosio.

MARANT - Menswear

After dominating womenswear for decades in 2018 MARANT showed its first menswear collection. The eight outfits showcased how easily Isabel Marant's iconic high-style bohemian aesthetic could translate into menswear. There were 90s elements (pull-over windbreakers, oversized grungey jumpers, puffa jackets) and perennially sport-inspired touches (pool slides, shell suit-style joggers, gilets). The collection was a modern muted palette of navy, black, dark pink and dark red, with pops of purple and silver.

The menswear collections continue to be innovative and original with a youthful and fresh aesthetic. These are fashion staples that are easy-to-style pieces for men who have natural style.

MARANT Javier Cotton-Canvas Cargo Trousers

RRP: ~~£195.00~~Current price: £78.00

60% Off

Who’s collaborated with Isabel Marant?

Isabel Marant has done many collaborations with brands such as Anthropologie but everyone remembers the H&M collaboration in 2013 which was something of a phenomenon, crashing the H&M website and completely selling out in 45 minutes.