by L'Exception, on March 30, 2022
SAY YES TO 100 FRENCH UNDERWEAR
The tricolored underwear industry is getting its colors back and that's good. Intimately linked to the savoir-faire of our country, lingerie but also corsetry have developed and imposed themselves as an art notably thanks to lace, another French know-how. It was in fact Colbert who initiated the creation of the first French lace factories thanks to his decision to ban the importation of foreign lace which was then very common. Later, the industrial revolution in the 19th century allowed the lingerie sector to reach prosperity notably thanks to the arrival of the sewing machine optimizing the assembly of pieces. However, the 2000's brought about the relocation to reduce costs. The time is for industrialization and globalization.
A TRICOLOR REGAIN
But in recent years, a reverse movement has been taking place and new brands are reviving the made in France. Launched in 2011, Le Slip Français is leading the way in this area by advocating a return to local and French employment with a cheeky slogan:"You want to change the world? You want to change things? Start by changing your underwear! "Imagined by Guillaume GIbault, the brand has become since July 2020 a company with a mission that aims to "reinvent the French textile industry with panache" with the idea of manufacturing better, locally, innovating and reviving an industry that has suffered a lot in the last 30 years. "When we say "Made in France," we actually mean that we make everything less than 250km from your home, thanks to our 29 partner workshops across France," explains the founder. So, from the yarn to the finished product, all the manufacturing steps are carried out in France (dyeing, weaving, knitting, cutting, making and distribution).All the accessories, the cockade and the labels are also made in our regions." And 2021 is already ringing in the 10th anniversary of Le Slip Français, which is now establishing itself as a must-have label in the world of underwear in France for men and women. Better yet, it has even launched its first collection of underwear for children.
Behind this slightly naughty name is Marine Neuilly, a visual artist but also a DJ whose pseudonym La chatte de Françoise has been since her first sets. She has since developed an assumed sexy universe by offering upcycled panties in a retro spirit, all handmade in Normandy. Gingham, plain, floral fabrics with a slightly frilly style, what was at first almost a hobby has become a real business that has seduced the Chantelle group. In fact, since spring 2021, La chatte de Françoise has had the support of the brand in order to produce more.
ON SE MET AU PAS
It is also at our feet that a beautiful revenge is being played out, that of socks made in France. Long mainly dedicated to men, the sock market has evolved enormously over the past few decades to become a true fashion accessory for both men and women.A fine example of this success, Royalties, launched by in 2010 by two former members of the Christian Lacroix studio (Emmanuelle Plescoff and Thimothée Pic), offers creative and colorful socks. For their manufacture, the duo works with the family business Broussaud, which has been producing in the Limousin region since 1938. A real know-how that makes Royalties socks a committed brand but also highly creative because on site the duo can draw inspiration from the workshop's archival drawings. "We can start from a very busy pattern from which we will take a detail, different techniques of mixing yarns, colors that are added to the documents that Tim collects", explains Emmanuelle Plescoff. In the end, a pair Royalties announces a life span of a year and a half (normal use) and the assurance of not going unnoticed.
Finally, another made-in-France sock brand to get noticed on our feet: Bonne Maison. Founded in 2012 by Beatrice de Crécy and Jean-Gabriel Huez, this one has fun telling stories every season through its different sock collections. Made with a double Egyptian cotton yarn that avoids pilling, remains smooth, soft, matte and strong, the colors are carefully crafted. Thanks to the know-how of a French manufacturer, each sock is fine and of high quality with a seamless and reinforced toe. Offbeat, arty, poetic, always playful, each pair catches the eye. The made in France has never been so creative !
PRATICAL REMINDER
You know our desire to offer you quality pieces that meet various quality and eco-responsible commitment. You can trust our Smart Choice label, which with the help of its green leaf, will tell you that the brand and/or its products meet eco-responsible criteria. Among them the use of recycled raw materials but also the respect of the social conditions of manufacturing. We're guessing that the commitment and quality of these lingerie have won you over, so which ones will you choose?
By Céline Vautard
