By Julia Radovich
CED & ROD doesn’t shout. It doesn’t seduce with spectacle or trend.
Instead, it listens – to fabric, to rhythm, to the body it will dress.
Founded by Cédric and Rodolphe, the house operates between Saint-Barthélemy and Calabria, blending Caribbean stillness with Italian precision. Each piece is designed, crafted, and finished under their direct supervision – an approach they call ‘360° couture’.
In this exclusive interview, they speak to Vanity Teen about the rituals of craft, the tension between visibility and discretion, and the woman they design for: someone whose confidence needs no amplification.
Hi Rodolphe, hi Cédric.
Thank you for taking time to speak with us.
We’d love to learn more about your house – not just through images, but through your voices.
Let’s begin at the beginning.
You come from different backgrounds, but crossed paths early on.
What shaped each of you – and what do you each bring into the house?
Rodolphe: My background in Fashion Marketing in Milan allowed me to understand the immense importance of detail and polished presentation, essential to attract a discerning clientele. I’m obsessed with precision and the customer experience; every detail must convey the very essence of our universe.
Cédric: Having studied traditional pattern-making in Milan, without computers or software, I bring technical expertise and pure craftsmanship. My passion lies in precise movements, perfectly mastering the volume and the drape of fabric on the body. Our combined expertise creates a perfect symbiosis of refinement and artisanal know-how.
You both studied and worked with Lorenzo Riva.
What stayed with you from that time – and what did you consciously choose to leave behind?
What we’ve kept is the importance of artisanal craftsmanship and an obsessive attention to noble materials. Lorenzo Riva taught us natural elegance, respect for the craft, and above all, an intimate understanding of the desires of a sophisticated private clientele. What we consciously chose to leave behind is a certain formal rigidity, opting instead for elegance that is more fluid, modern, and light, while retaining artisanal excellence as our foundation.
Your work happens across Saint-Barthélemy and Calabria.
Why these places? What do they give you – in rhythm, in spirit, in space?
Saint-Barthélemy is our creative refuge, a source of inspiration where we live according to the refined, slow rhythm of the island, close to an international and demanding clientele. Calabria represents the heartbeat of our Italian artisanal production. Here, we immerse ourselves in tradition, working closely with exceptional artisans. This duality allows us to blend the art of living with rigorous ancestral know-how.
You’ve described your approach as ‘360° couture’.
Practically speaking, what does that mean for how you create?
“360° couture” means each piece is entirely crafted under our supervision, from meticulous fabric selection to personal interactions with our clients. We oversee every stage, from the initial sketch to the final fitting, ensuring absolute coherence and authentic luxury.
Let’s talk about the Met Gala dress.
What was the process like – and how do you know when a piece is complete?
Creating the Met Gala dress was an exciting adventure. We began by envisioning a timeless silhouette, then selected exceptional materials – Taroni silk, Galeotti feathers, and Renard-Grière lace. The process involved meticulous adjustments and countless hours of artisanal work in the atelier. A piece is complete when it perfectly embodies the essence of our house and becomes a natural extension of the client herself.
You work with legacy artisans – Taroni, Galeotti, Renard Grière.
How do you choose who to work with – and what do you look for in a material?
We select our artisans based on their passion, history, and ability to create exceptional materials. Each fabric or material must evoke an emotion, tell a story, and reflect our relentless pursuit of excellence.
These partnerships are based on trust, a shared love for beauty, and the transmission of incomparable craftsmanship.
Discreet luxury. Quiet elegance.
If you had to define the soul of CED & ROD in one phrase – what would it be?
“The art of discretion elevated by artisanal excellence.”
Is there a tension between staying discreet — and still wanting your work to be seen?
How do you navigate that?
This tension is real, but it’s integral to our identity. We believe in discreet exclusivity, yet it is essential for our craftsmanship to be recognized. We navigate this balance by carefully choosing selective and strategic contexts-like the Met Gala or exclusive environments frequented by elite clientele-allowing our work to be seen while maintaining confidentiality.
Who do you create for?
Not demographically – but emotionally.
What kind of presence or mindset do you design for?
We create for a woman who embodies discreet confidence and inner elegance, someone who intimately appreciates exceptional craftsmanship and chooses clothing as a natural extension of her refined, assured personality.
What does it mean to you to exist outside the main fashion cities?
Is it a form of freedom?
Absolutely. Being away from the major fashion capitals allows us to escape ephemeral and superficial trends. We have the freedom to create at our own pace, staying true to our vision of timeless and authentic elegance.
A letter to your future self.
What would you write?
And always remember the warm words shared with us by Monsieur Lesage senior, during a memorable meeting in his timeless office: “Continue what you do and how you do it.“
