Brought to you by French designer Aurélia Stouls, who launched her ready-to-wear brand in 2004, Stouls has built a reputation for offering luxurious and contemporary pieces that are cut exclusively in machine-washable leather and suede. Sourced from their trusted French tannery, the materiality along with the designs, nod to the country’s excellence in craftsmanship.
The debut product came in the from a washable leather tee, and since then, Aurélia has expanded the line to offer bags (a 2024 project that made use of surplus leather), as well as suede shirt dresses, wide leg pants and coordinating jackets that are perfect for fall.
Aurélia tells us more about her brand story, from the innovative tee that launched Stouls to the evolution of her label, oh, and having Karl Lagerfeld as one of her best customers.
Felicity Carter: Tell us about your background, and how you made it into the industry?
Aurélia Stouls: I grew up in a very aesthetically driven family, where elegance went hand in hand with creativity, joy, and the pleasure of fine clothing and dressing up. That environment really shaped me and from a young age I knew I always I wanted to design clothing. So, quite naturally, I pursued Fashion Design studies in Paris, at Esmod and Studio Berçot, and then in New York at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Receiving an Award from the Charles Jourdan shoe design competition at the end of my studies was a game changer. This led me straight into the world of shoemaking, and I quickly grew passionate about this demanding and meticulous craft. I was lucky to work with some of the greats in French shoemaking: Carel, Mugler, Kélian and Heschung.
Drawing on my years’ of experience working with leather brought an innovative idea to life: a machine-washable leather tee. This first piece led to the creation of Stouls, which I launched in 2004. Rooted in this innovative concept, it introduced a new language and redefined how leather could be worn effortlessly and everyday.
FC: How would you sum up the aesthetic of Stouls?
AS: A sleek and refined design with minimalist cuts, vibrant in color, and sensual thanks to its signature material, a soft, caressing, second-skin leather. What matters to me is that a woman truly embodies what she wears and that her personality comes through. I believe clothes speak volumes about who we are, how we feel, even our state of mind. Despite the old saying, I do think clothes make the person. The Stouls wardrobe is all about timeless sophistication. The full-leather looks are chic, sensual, and designed to feel as good as they look.
FC : What drew you to leather?
AS: Leather is a living material, it evolves, it traces time, it tells a story. I’ve always loved the feel of it, its sensuality, its richness. Even as a child, I wore leather, it’s always been part of my life. There’s something magical about it: the way it absorbs color, its subtle shades, the way it catches the light. And that tactile quality…it’s irresistible. Leather has a kind of magnetic pull to it.
FC: Can you walk me through your creative process, from concept to final piece?
AS: My creative process varies from one season to another. I tend to be quite cerebral. Often, just one trigger, a word, an image, a color, a film, or a conversation can spark the whole idea. But rather than building a full narrative, I go straight to what the ideal product would be. For instance, one day I wanted to explore the corset, which is completely at odds with the Stouls dna of softness and fluidity. I circled the idea until I found a version that was pared-down, comfortable, and true to the spirit of what I create. I care more about clothing than fashion. I think a lot about how a garment moves, how it’s worn, the kind of energy or presence it gives off.
FC: How has it evolved and how do you see it evolving?
AS: At the beginning, the collections were centered around single, standout pieces that could work across a woman’s wardrobe. After 20 years of working with the same material, color has become a major part of the brand’s identity.
Opening our Paris flagship allowed us to think in full silhouettes and to design a complete wardrobe. In 2024, we launched a line of bags made from our leftover leather, it was a project I loved. Looking ahead, we’d love to relaunch the menswear line (Karl Lagerfeld was actually our best customer), as well as revisit our boots and ankle boots. And of course, the dream is to open a few more beautiful stores in select cities around the world.
Shop the collection on Net-a-Porter.com.