The Pitti Uomo International Men's Fashion Show is a huge variety of not only Italian brands: among the products of shoe factories, large and tiny brands specializing in classic clothing, as well as brands that have chosen casual and athleisure style for themselves, manufacturers of important men's accessories, from cufflinks to points, no, no, and the creativity of the French neighbors will come across. Impressed by their abundance at the January exhibition, we decided to remind (and tell someone) about authentic French brands that deserve not only attention, but also a place in your wardrobe.
Danton
Officially, the brand has existed since 1935, although it was born four years earlier - as the Manufacture Textile du Center, opened by Monsieur Gabriel Danton in one of the communes of the Loire Valley, Châtere-sur-Cher. Initially, it specialized in clothing for gardening, although the "branded" jackets - with a round collar, large pockets, shaped like half a circle, white buttons and a "ruby" logo sewn just above the heart - have long migrated to the wardrobes of those who have never held in the hands of brush cutters. At the same time, most of the fans of the brand were found not in their homeland or even in Europe, but in Japan. Moreover, until this year, Danton, in principle, could only be bought in the land of the rising sun (production was also transferred there). Fortunately, in 2017, the brand promised to become available to the whole world.
1 of 7 © Danton © Danton © Danton © Danton © Danton © Danton © Danton
Fleur de bagne
The men's brand cannot boast of a rich history yet: it is only five years old. But Fleur de Bagne was created with an eye to history - criminal. No kidding: the launch of the founder's brand with the literary surname Dumas was inspired by French prisoners and gangsters of the beginning of the last century. Actually, hence the curious name, which is translated into Russian as "prison flower". With the names in general, it worked out: there is, for example, a sweater with the promising name "War Martyr" and a T-shirt "Guillotine". What is nice, the brand is really made in France - with production throughout the country: shirts are made in Marseille, trousers and accessories - in Lyon, knitwear - in Rouen. And then they definitely shoot in a very atmospheric lookbook, the heroes of which are tattooed bearded men.
Orcival
In 1858, the Breton stripe was included in the dress code of the French navy (there should have been twenty-one on the top with sleeves in three-quarters of blue horizontal lines, supposedly according to the number of victories of the Napoleonic fleet over the British). In 1917, Coco Chanel, who needs no introduction, borrowed a jersey item for a woman's wardrobe and made it unusually fashionable. And in 1939 Orcival appeared: at first, as it should be, it produced vests for sailors, but today anyone can use it to "give the mooring lines" (especially since the thing with the fly logo is very modest). The employees of the brand, which is now based in Le Mans (although it was once based in Lyon), do not only cut and sew, but also select the yarn for jersey, which Orcival is especially proud of.
1 of 3 © Orcival © Orcival © Orcival
De bonne facture
Not so much a brand as an amalgamation of small workshops, most often family-owned. Hats are sculpted in Paris itself (Pauline Brosset is responsible for them), but shirts are already in Ekeye, where the Confection du Boischaut atelier has been running smoothly since 1971. Instead of collections, De Bonne Facture has so-called "releases", which, as a rule, include a full range of men's clothing: from shirts to suspenders, from a tie (knitted items deserve special attention!) To coats. It will not be possible to buy only shoes, although we will not be surprised if sooner or later boots will join the ranks - if, of course, there is a worthy and at the same time vacant shoemaker in France.
1 of 7 © De Bonne Facture © De Bonne Facture © De Bonne Facture © De Bonne Facture © De Bonne Facture © De Bonne Facture © De Bonne Facture
Bleu de Cocagne
The name could be translated as "an abundance of blue" - and that says it all: it is true about all fifty (or even more!) Shades of the sky. The production is located in the south of the country, in Toulouse, where more than five hundred years ago they learned to paint things in the same bleu. All thanks to waida - an unpretentious plant with yellow flowers, which gives a beautiful blue color. At one time, the waidu was replaced by the indigo brought from Asia, but Bleu de Cocagne are trying their best to return the "pioneer" to the clip and pigment the fabric (from organic fiber!) Exclusively with his help. At the same time, they are not lazy: in order to achieve the desired shade, sometimes you have to carry out the procedure eight times. But the result is impressive.
1 of 5 © Bleu de Cocagne © Bleu de Cocagne © Bleu de Cocagne © Bleu de Cocagne © Bleu de Cocagne
Fileuse d'Arvor
It is one of Brittany's oldest knitwear brands still in existence today. As usual, a family business: back in 1927 (at the same time the logo with a spinner appeared) it was founded by the spouses Pierre and Marie Brest, and today their grandson Michel is listed as the directors. Today, the factory located in Quimper employs fifty people who create more than one hundred thousand items annually - mainly from merino wool, combined cotton and cashmere. In fact, the “bread” of Fileuse d'Arvor is the same Breton strip, but under the same label you can find quite plain jumpers and hats. In addition, the brand often enters into a creative alliance - not only with the French (like Agnes B. and the already mentioned De Bonne Facture), but also with the Japanese (for example, Visvim).
1 of 8 © Fileuse d'Arvor © Fileuse d'Arvor © Fileuse d'Arvor © Fileuse d'Arvor © Fileuse d'Arvor © Fileuse d'Arvor © Fileuse d'Arvor © Fileuse d'Arvor>