Henri Alexander Levy: Art Meets Enfants Riches Déprimés

Henri Alexander Levy, the creator of luxury label Enfants Riches Déprimés (ERD), designs clothing that feels like wearable rebellion. His collections are raw, textural, and deliberately niche—speaking to a buyer with a deep appreciation for both art and fashion. But what sets Levy apart from other designers isn’t just his meticulous attention to detail; it’s his background and practice as a conceptual artist. 

Levy has long used painting and drawing as artistic outlets, and his personal art practice serves as the foundation for ERD’s provocative, avant-garde aesthetic. This blog dives into Levy’s creative process—exploring how the subconscious energy behind his artwork translates seamlessly into the DNA of ERD’s runway collections. 

Henri Alexander Levy: Artist First, Designer Second 

Before founding Enfants Riches Déprimés in 2012, Levy was deeply immersed in the world of conceptual art. While designers often claim artistic influence in their work, Levy’s trajectory threads a true cross-disciplinary narrative. His practice as a painter doesn’t just complement his design ventures—it defines them. 

Levy has shared that his approach to art involves tapping into his subconscious. Through methods like automatism (a form of creating art without conscious thought), his abstract drawings and paintings serve as pure, unfiltered expressions of his psyche. These artworks often begin as fragmented sketches, layered with heavy brushstrokes, smeared textures, and uneven lines—a stark reflection of his inner world. 

This subconscious practice threads directly into his work at ERD, where no piece is simply “fashion.” Every ripped edge, splash of dye, and embroidered phrase is imbued with his raw artistic ethos. 

The Intersection of Art and Fashion 

Putting art into fashion is nothing new—many designers throughout history have drawn inspiration from fine art. Think Yves Saint Laurent’s Mondrian dresses or Elsa Schiaparelli’s collaboration with Salvador Dalí. However, Henri Alexander Levy’s approach is different. 

Instead of borrowing ideas from established artworks, Levy creates his own, then translates them into high-end, wearable pieces. His trajectory demonstrates a seamless interplay between two worlds often perceived as separate entities. 

For Levy, fashion is as legitimate an artistic medium as a canvas. This mindset challenges the traditional boundary where art is considered intellectual, while fashion is dismissed as commercial or superficial. At ERD, art and fashion are one and the same. 

From Canvas to Couture: Levy’s Creative Process 

Step 1: Subconscious Beginnings 

Levy’s creative process starts in his art studio. He allows his ideas to surface spontaneously through painting and drawing. This first step is completely unfiltered—an exploration of emotions, memories, and struggles. “I don’t think about what’s right or wrong,” he said in an interview. “I just create.” 

The result? A jaggedly beautiful body of work filled with cryptic designs, disjointed text, and unapologetically anti-establishment themes. These raw, visceral pieces often become visual foundations for ERD’s collections. 

Step 2: Translating Concepts into Textiles 

Once he has a concept, Levy begins translating his artwork into garment designs. A jagged black streak in a painting might become a torn seam on a blazer. Text from his drawings—phrases like “Je suis la mort”—are embroidered down the sleeve of an oversized sweater. 

Even textile choices are deliberate reflections of his art. Soft cashmeres clash with gritty canvas-like patches. Frayed hems mirror the unruly brushstrokes found in his paintings. This tactile connection creates an undeniable bond between the art on Levy’s walls and the pieces hitting ERD’s runways. 

Step 3: Balancing Intention and Chaos 

Levy’s fashion pieces may look chaotic, but every detail serves an intentional purpose. His experience as an artist equips him with the ability to balance the abstract with the structured. While his apparel feels raw and anti-establishment, it remains impeccably crafted and perfectly tailored—qualities expected in the world of luxury fashion. 

This balancing act is one of Levy’s biggest strengths. It’s what transforms garments that could feel unruly into coveted collector’s items. 

The Aesthetic of Enfants Riches Déprimés 

Levy’s artistic fingerprints are present in every aspect of Enfants Riches Déprimés. The brand’s name alone—translating to “Depressed Rich Kids”—reflects an artistic philosophy rooted in emotional depth and rebellion. 

ERD collections tell stories through the clothes themselves. Screen-printed tees feature cryptic phrases reminiscent of graffiti. Patchwork jackets draw parallels to deconstructed canvases. Items are intentionally distressed, evoking themes of decay, resistance, and impermanence. 

The garments speak to a specific, discerning customer base—one unafraid to wear their identity boldly. ERD feels like a love letter to anyone who prioritizes authenticity over conformity, making it as much a cultural movement as it is a fashion brand.