Third-year students of the “Fashion Designer” Bachelor program at ESMOD Paris took on a challenge: to
imagine and design unique jackets for Chris Marques, the infamous judge on Dancing with the Stars on TF1.
A creative competition where young talents had their designs selected and brought to life in collaboration with
Maison Jonas, a renowned French house known for its tailoring expertise. These jackets will be worn during
the live shows of the program, giving the students unique visibility on a French television set.
“This year, I turned to the students of ESMOD to dress me for Dancing with the Stars. The idea is simple: give
them carte blanche to create my jackets while offering them unprecedented visibility on a flagship program of
French television. I’ve tried many things before, and this time, I wanted innovation, creativity, and boldness. It’s
also an opportunity to immerse them in the behind-the-scenes of the show.”
Chris Marques, judge on Dancing with the Stars
Chris Marques, together with the invaluable expertise of fashion consultant and stylist Aurore Donguy,
handpicked the students following a rigorous selection process that included creative presentations,
sketches, moodboards, and fabric samples. Under the guidance of their professors and the artistic direction
and academic teams at ESMOD Paris, Nanjika Sallet and Amandine Labbe, and in collaboration with Maison
Jonas, the students crafted jackets that seamlessly blended technical craftsmanship, textile innovation, and a
modern take on stagewear. Designed to be worn during prime time, these creations had to meet specific
criteria: ensuring optimal freedom of movement, adapting to the TV framing, and respecting the show’s
stylistic requirements. This challenge was expertly tackled by the budding designers, who skillfully combined
creativity with technical precision, and whose jackets will be showcased all season long during the live
broadcasts of Dancing with the Stars.
This collaboration is part of ESMOD’s mission: to showcase talent and highlight the technical expertise of its
students, immersing them in the heart of the various challenges within the fashion, creative and cultural
industries. True to its new brand identity, the school strives to create connections between fashion, the arts,
and cultural scenes, thus offering its student body a professional and memorable experience.
About ESMOD International
Founded in 1841 in Paris, ESMOD is the first French fashion school dedicated to Fashion Design and, since
1989, to Fashion Business. Today, the ESMOD International group has 18 schools in 12 countries, including
Paris, Pantin, Bordeaux, Lyon, Rennes, and Roubaix in France. Alexis Lavigne, its founder, is the author of the
tailoring method. He was notably the inventor of the flexible measuring tape and the mannequin bust. His
methods and techniques, widely spread around the world, have endured while adapting to the evolving fields
of design and fashion.
About Chris Marques
Chris Marques, renowned director and artistic director, has established himself as one of the greatest
innovators on the French scene. Known for his iconic role on Dancing with the Stars, it is primarily behind the
camera that he continuously pushes the boundaries of creation, blending new technologies, spectacular
performances, and international collaborations. His unique sense of staging and unmatched artistic ambition
make him an essential figure in entertainment, always striving for excellence and boldness.
