L’EXCEPTION PARIS - Our values

In 2019, L’Exception launched THE SMART CHOICE, a selection of ethical, ecological and locally crafted products. This initiative is part of a global movement to engage and elevate sustainable fashion, a common thread in our own namesake collection, L’Exception Paris. In founding an in-house brand, we wanted to create a menswear offering that supported L’Exception’s core principles – timeless style & quality craftsmanship. Moreover, our goal was to create a brand with total transparency - celebrating every part of the supply chain, from the choice of organic fabrics to the European artisans who brought the collection to life. Find out more about the L’Exception Paris collection and our commitment to a more ethical, ecological and local fashion future…

ECO-FOCUS : ORGANIC COTTON & ALPACA

One of the driving forces behind the L’Exception Paris brand was to create a truly ecological-focused collection. This meant using organic and artisanal-crafted fabrics wherever possible, ensuring each part of the production method upheld the highest environmental standards.

One of the first changes we implemented was opting for organic cotton. Large-scale cotton farming demands high volumes of water and commonly uses harmful chemicals. Genetically modified cotton is also becoming more popular – creating strains that are pest-resistant and therefore more profitable, yet ultimately worse for the planet.

Considering the impact of industrial cotton production, we opted for organic Japanese cotton – as showcased in our signature mariner and the red & white pocket shirt from the current collection. Choosing organic cotton that is free from pesticides and chemicals ensures a naturally soft next to skin feel and hypoallergenic qualities – making it not just a comfortable alternative, but a healthier choice, too.

Secondly, L’Exception Paris chose to work with alpaca by-products, reflecting our commitment to sustainable farming practises. Used for generations in traditional Peruvian knitwear, ‘baby alpaca’ is a high-quality, cruelty-free, natural fibre – renowned for its soft, lightweight and exceptionally warm qualities. Considered one of the greenest animals on the planet, alpaca can only be reared in small numbers and with access to wide grazing pasture. Furthermore, the process of alpaca farming does not require harsh chemicals – this means that alpaca farming is completely safe and natural for the environment.

OUR ETHICS: CIRCLE OF TRUST

L’Exception Paris was founded on two important principles – transparency & affordability. A widely-discussed subject where the benefits are not always easily understood, L’Exception Paris is committed to offering honest, high-quality products. This includes how we’ve priced our products – ensuring our collection reflects the fairest prices possible – not just for our customers, but for the people behind the production, too.

L’Exception Paris is a truly transparent brand. On each product, you’ll find the origin of the materials used and the place of its production – no fibbing, no faking. We want our customers to know where and how the collection was created and, ensure that you have all the information you need to make an informed decision on the environmental impact, ethical values and provenance of your purchases. This includes sharing the places and people we worked with – guaranteeing a totally clear and honest production chain. We also wanted to share the design and manufacturing choices behind the collection, reflecting why we used a particular fabric or place of manufacture based on traditional savoir-faire and regional experience.

L’Exception Paris reflects affordable luxury. A permanent & perennial collection, each piece is priced as fairly as possible. We’ve strived to balance expert craftsmanship with accessible pricing, cutting out the middleman and working directly with manufacturers in countries where we can ensure accessible price points and quality production methods – something still unattainable in France today. With years of industry experience behind us, we wanted to avoid tricks like pricing high and selling low come sale season. Instead, we decided on one fixed price, all year round. Our honest, upfront approach offers the fairest price for our customers and the people behind each piece in the L’Exception Paris collection.

LOCAL: HOMEGROWN SAVOIR-FAIRE

From the very beginning, L’Exception has always been a proud champion of local savoir-faire, supporting ateliers and artisans from across Europe. For our own collection, we stayed true to our leitmotif, tracking down talent in countries and regions with a long legacy of traditional craftsmanship.

We contacted ateliers across Europe celebrated for their expertise, whether that’s knitwear, tailoring or hosiery. For example, our cashmere, honeycomb cotton and merino wool jumpers are all crafted in Venice, Italy - whilst our shirts are made in Porto, Portugal. This local initiative also meets our ecological and ethical commitments, allowing us to showcase the production chain from start to finish.

Passionate advocates for local production and the preservation of heritage techniques, L’Exception has always been intrigued by the uniqueness of regional craftsmanship from across the world. That’s why we chose to work with Barker for our selection of footwear like the Glencoe Boot – an establishment that has been making shoes in the Northamptonshire village of Earls Barton, England, since 1880. Our boots are handmade, using manufacturing methods that date back hundreds of years. A personal approach to design that can be felt in our alpaca jumpers, made in Peru utilising local weaving methods – specialised in this natural fibre.

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