Charles James was celebrated by fashion’s biggest names at the Met Ball, and his glamorous brand will now be reborn through a deal between the British-American couturier’s family and Harvey Weinstein, Page Six can exclusively reveal.
The movie mogul’s wife, Marchesa designer Georgina Chapman, and her CEO brother, Edward, will be “retained as creative consultants” in the deal, sources said. “Talks have been ongoing to breathe new life into the Charles James name,” said a source, adding the Weinstein Company is talking with James’ children, Charles Jr. and Louise, about a licensing deal with an option to buy the company. “There is a lot of interest to carry on Charles’ legacy,” the source said.
Sources say James’ family is in possession of their father’s designs and archives. The Weinstein deal would, according to a source, “create an exclusive couture house” and cover all licensing rights, including a fragrance. The partnership was hatched after it was announced that iconic designer James, who died in 1978, was being honored by Anna Wintour’s Met Gala.
It would not be the first time Weinstein has partnered with an iconic fashion label: In 2007, he bought Halston with Sarah Jessica Parker and others, but bailed out of the investment in 2011.
“When they bought Halston, Harvey was part of a consortium,” said a source. “He always believed in licensing. In this case, the Weinstein Company would be the sole partner with the James family. So there would be one voice, with the Weinstein Company running the business.”
On the morning of the Met Ball, Michelle Obama presided over a ribbon cutting for the Met’s new Anna Wintour Costume Center showing off a James exhibition. But some social spies were surprised that Jonathan and Lizzie Tisch, who gave $10 million to re-create the Costume Center’s galleries before Wintour’s name was added, were not more prominently mentioned beyond a thank you by Met CEO Thomas P. Campbell. A friend of the couple said, “They’re thrilled the [center] is getting the attention it deserves. They will be very much a part of the James exhibit and all future shows.”