Tag Archives: FRENCH

ALAÏA

When Tunisian-born designer, Azzedine Alaïa arrived in Paris in 1956 at the age of 21, he was already an experienced and accomplished seamster, having apprenticed for an acclaimed dressmaker in Tunis. He was a capable dressmaker who was accustomed to meeting the needs of the women of high society. He was often sought out by wealthy Tunisians and visiting French tourists alike. In Paris he first interned with Christian Dior before moving to Guy Laroche shortly thereafter. In 1964 he began to produce couture to his established client base under his own label, finally opening his own atelier in 1979, by which stage he had become the doyen of Parisian society. A student of female form, his designs would accentuate and flatter, elegant and understated and always with a nod to his Tunisian heritage and the traditional attire of his homeland. Today, Alaïa is a brand within the Richemont luxury brands stable and continues to show annual couture collections alongside an extensive women’s ready-to-wear range. Alaïa also produces beautiful ladies’ shoes, accessories, bags & handbags and occasional jewellery pieces.

HERMÈS

The ultimate in luxury brands, Hermès is synonymous with opulent and sumptuous goods, finished to the highest standards. This house has perfected the art of luxury since its foundation as a saddlery in 1837. From the outset, the Hermès brand was a favourite of the highest of nobility and the Parisian elite who would seek out no other maker for their equestrian and carriage equipment. The maison would use it’s leather-making expertise to craft various other accoutrement essential to the comfortable travel of its distinguished customers, including luggage and travel cases. With the advent of the automotive age, the brand would apply its prestige and know-how to upholstering the very best motor cars and expanding into leather goods, such as handbags, belts, boots and so forth. This also marked the transformation of the brand into a high fashion label, renowned for their selection of the best materials and elaborate prints to create beautiful accessories and apparel. Today the brand stands as the height of luxury, admired and desired throughout the world.

MOYNAT

Moynat is one of the great Parisian malletiers alongside Goyard and Louis Vuitton, famous for it’s high-end luxury trunks and luggage and synonymous with the golden age of travel. Similar to their rivals, Moynat is easily identified by their distinctive patterns and colourways and the high-quality finish. The brand became a darling of European society, with many celebrated and royal patrons. The brand fell out of favour as air travel replaced ocean liners but the brand was revived by LVMH with Luvanis and reinstated as one of the world’s pre-eminent luxury brands, specialising in leather goods, bags & handbags, luggage and fragrances.

ARMORIAL

A legendary stationers based in Paris, Armorial was founded in 1890. The maison has been a go-to for Parisian society ever since. Armorial’s range includes luxury stationery, which can be customised to a client’s exact needs. The firm also produces a range of luxurious leather goods and accessories.

ZILLI: A LEATHER JACKET EMPIRE IS BORN

The Zilli story begins in 1965 with the foundation of the iconic brand which, today, is synonymous with luxurious apparel and stylish, tailored pieces, especially leather apparel. It was then that a collaboration would begin which would shape the direction of the Maison Zilli line – a collaboration between a French entrepreneur and an established Italian tailor with a reputation for sleek and elegant designs for discerning customers.

CHARVET: AMONGST THE WORLD’S GREATEST BESPOKE SHIRTMAKERS

Charvet is a French luxury shirtmaker that was founded in 1838 by Joseph-Christophe Charvet. The company is known internationally for its high-quality, handcrafted shirts. Charvet shirts are made from the finest materials, including Egyptian cotton, French linen, and Italian silk. The shirts are assembled by hand, and each shirt is carefully inspected before it is shipped.

LE PARAPLUIE DE CHERBOURG: THE ANCIENT CRAFT OF UMBRELLA MAKING, IMMORTALISED IN FILM

Le Parapluie de Cherbourg (The Cherbourg Umbrella) is a French umbrella manufacturer that was founded in 1986 by Jean-Pierre Yvon. The company is known for its high-quality, handcrafted umbrellas. Descended from a long-line of umbrella craftsmen who helped shape Cherbourg as a global centre for that particular trade, he named his business for the famous movie from the 1960s: ‘The Umbrellas of Cherbourg’.

CHAMPAGNE ALFRED GRATIEN: AN AWARD-WINNING CHAMPAGNE HOUSE

Champagne Alfred Gratien is a family champagne house founded in 1864 in Épernay, France. The house is known for its exceptional champagnes, which are handcrafted using traditional methods and aged in oak barrels. Alfred Gratien champagnes are characterized by their complexity, elegance, and long finish.