In 1957 two Parisian opticians introduced a new, specialist lens to the market, designed specifically for skiers, the Skilynx lens was revolutionary. It would filter out the extreme reflection often experienced from snowy terrains whilst providing clarity and shielding the eyes from the elements. Having fitted them to sunglasses, they offered their product to the French ski team and at the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, Jean Vuarnet won the gold medal in Downhill skiing. Wearing the Skilynx glasses, a partnership was born that would define the brand’s pedigree for ever more. Vuarnet agreed to lend his name to the enterprising start-up and the name would come to be synonymous with high-quality, luxury performance sunglasses.
Tag Archives: PARIS
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.
LUXURY BRANDS OF PARIS
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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.
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.
BOWEN: FRENCH SHOEMAKERS IN THE BRITISH TRADITION
Bowen Shoes is a French shoemaker that specializes in Goodyear welted shoes. The company was founded in 1988 by Francois de Virieu, who wanted to create a brand that combined the best of English shoemaking with French design. Bowen shoes are known for their high quality, classic styling, and comfortable fit and are a subsidiary brand of the French footwear specialists, Manfield.
LONGCHAMP: THE LUXURY PARISIAN BAGS AND LEATHER GOODS BRAND
Longchamp is a French luxury leather goods company founded in Paris in 1948 by Jean Cassegrain. The company pioneered luxury leather-covered pipes before expanding into small leather goods, such as handbags, wallets, and belts. Today, Longchamp is known for its high-quality, stylish, and affordable products.
DIOR: A PRE-EMINENT COUTURE GRAND MAISON
Christian Dior’s eponymous fashion house has had a profound impact on the world of fashion and luxury goods since its foundation in 1946. The designer label has come to epitomise what is signature French style, both through the long association with high fashion and Couture as well as ready-to-wear and off-the-rack pieces.
LOUIS VUITTON: FROM ILLUSTRIOUS TRUNKMAKER TO GRAND FASHION HOUSE
Louis Vuitton Malletier, commonly known as Louis Vuitton or LV, is a French luxury fashion house and company founded in 1854 by Louis Vuitton. The label’s LV monogram appears on most of its products, ranging from luxury bags and leather goods to ready-to-wear, shoes, perfumes, watches, jewellery, accessories, sunglasses and books. Louis Vuitton is one of the world’s leading international fashion houses. It sells its products through standalone boutiques, lease departments in high-end departmental stores, and through the e-commerce section of its website.
BALENCIAGA: THE CULT HIGH-END FASHION LABEL FROM SPAIN
Balenciaga is a luxury fashion house founded in 1917 by Cristóbal Balenciaga in San Sebastián, Spain. The brand is known for its avant-garde designs and high-quality craftsmanship. Balenciaga has been credited with revolutionizing fashion throughout the 20th century, and its designs continue to be influential today.
