A l'époque

Century XIE, a girl who was born and raised in Shanghai.

In 2008, Century went back to Paris to study fashion design.
3 years in Studio Bercot, she accidentally found herself in the accessories design field.

In 2012, Institut Français de la mode in Paris accepted her as one of the 8 students in Accessories Post graduation programme, sponsored by LVMH, Chanel, Saint Laurent Paris... Yves Saint Laurent’s life partner Pierre Bergé as president.
During a year of study, she collaborated on the sunglass collection with Christian Dior, leather goods collection with
Paco Rabanne. She interned as an Assistant Designer in Dior, Lanvin after her master degree.
At Lanvin, she gained a respected reputation and attention from Alber Elbaz.

In 2013, by her curiosity for jewelry design, this watchmaker’s daughter applied to the Prix Edgard Hamon Paris,
a “Bijoux Fantasy” competition founded by a historic jewelry studio in order to find new jewelry designers in Paris.
With her natural talent, Century brought her art deco and futuristic style with architecture construction
to her first jewelry collection, named True to Life”.
As the Winner of the professional team, she launched her personal jewelry brand “A L’ÉPOQUE” in Paris,

The ceremony was held at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris.
A guest list including Jewelry design Elie Top, designer Olympia Le-tan, Yazbukey, Manuela Brini - Creative Talents Manager at LVMH and Alber Elbaz...
Century received the prize from esteemed fashion designer Christian Lacroix.
Century XIE’s first jewelry collection received much attention from the western media, Madame Figaro, Elle France, Vogue France... Style.com, which published an exclusive interview with Century.
When Women’s Wear daily interviewed Christian Lacroix about his opinion of Century and her collection,
he was quoted as saying, “Clever, clean and modern, she just had everything.”

Invited by the French luxury department store, Le Bon Marche in Paris, Century exhibited her collection “True-to-Life” and launched her brand “A L’ÉPOQUE” in the store during the Paris Fashion Week 2014 in September.

Century has always been passionate about commercial operation and has a great understanding and interest
in the business side of design. After winning the competition, she didn't engage herself in the jewelry industry. Instead she accepted the offer from a world “fast fashion” giant and live her dream to become a women’s footwear designer.
She wants to design shoes that other brands would love to emulate and change the perception that “fast fashion” brands
are the ones that do the imitating.
At the same time, she will continue her personal jewelry brand “A L’ÉPOQUE”,
a passion that stems from her watchmaking father and combination of business.