Inside EuroSIMA: Podcast of Jean Kress

Jean Kress is a genuine creative spirit, who has been infusing his talent and inspiration as a designer into the European surfing industry for the past 30 years. Before settling in the Landes in 1994, Jean worked for the most prestigious haute-couture names in Paris: Chanel, Lanvin, Guy Laroche or even Dior. His immersion in the 80’s and 90’s in Paris, the fashion capital of the world, nurtured his passion and gave him limitless creativity.
This atypical profile and Jean’s personality are what caught the attention of Fred Bass in the 90’s and pushed him to hire Jean at Rip Curl Europe. After developing the collections and ranges for several years, Jean pursued his career at Quiksilver, which he himself considered at the time to be the “N° 1, the PSG”.
Another dimension, another style and new challenges would await him in the Harry Hodge and later the Bernard Marriette eras. It was a time that Jean describes as the “Bernard Tapie years”. After that? Billabong, where he joined the company as Merchandising & Design Director, and later Brand Leader.
When Boardriders took over BBG, he moved to the head offices in St Jean de Luz where he very quickly took over as head of Sustainability for the group. It is a position at the center of current challenges and issues in our industry, where he sets the objectives, missions, means and deals with its challenges. It is a key position, that is more than ever oriented towards the future, where Jean continues to move forward with the same passion he’s had since day one.
A new episode, both interesting and instructive.
en-insideurosima.com/2024/05/...