Today we introduce The Open-Back Cotton Dress – by Marc Le Bihan. A style which reveals contrasts: avant-garde and bucolic, dark and romantic, rich but effortless.
This robe tablier in cotton voile is a timeless piece which shows Marc Le Bihan’s mastery and his unique vision of fashion. Made by hand in his atelier in Paris, it’s for a specific niche of people who can understand the designer’s unconventional creativity and exceptional quality. So, a meaningful garment made to last and stand out with that nonchalant elegance typical of Marc Le Bihan.
About the design The shape recalls an apron dress with a square cut neckline along the front. Two front straps in grosgrain connect with two back ones by creating a neat and sophisticated open-back design. Also, the open-back is adjustable thanks to a drawstring along the neckline, which enriches the fluid silhouette. It’s a fully lined garment. Specifically, the lining cut is asymmetric and peaks through the hemline, giving a bodied shape and no see-through effect. Under-knee length with a raw-cut hemline. The fit is comfortable but very stylish, and you will not go unnoticed.
The Open-Back Cotton Dress by Marc Le Bihan
About the material 100% cotton voile. Even though fully lined, the material is lightweight and fresh. Moreover, the hand of the fabric is slightly creased, highlighting the effortlessness of the dress.
About the colour White: a candid and pure colour with an aristocratic image.
Laundry Dry clean. However, it is possible to wash carefully by hand in cold water with very soft soap. Please, wash it separately.
The Open-Back Cotton Dress is perfect for the Spring/Summer summer season. But it’s beautiful also in a layered styling. So, try it with a wool jacket or a cable knit cardigan when the weather gets colder.
Drop us a message for any further information. We’d love to assist you!
Today we introduce The Silk Double Dress – by Marc Le Bihan.
Fashion to us means offering a value choice, meaningful pieces made to last. And creativity, together with artisanal production, makes fashion special. Indeed, these elements give life to unique garments, beautiful pieces that you don’t find everywhere. And it is part of their intrinsic value.
When it comes to searching for uniqueness, creativity, and artisanal work, Marc Le Bihan has a lot to say. So let’s discover another one of the stunning timeless pieces we picked out for the Spring-Summer season.
The Silk Double Dress
About the design This lightweight dress is made of two layers of silk featuring an asymmetrical cut and under knee-length. Specifically, they are two separate dresses, which you can wear all together or just one. A tone-on-tone Chantelle lace along the neckline and a front lace flower enrich the above dress. The second dress is less decorated, with boat lace detailed neckline and lace along the hemline.
The Silk Double Dress by Marc Le Bihan
About the material 100% silk. The hand is soft and slightly shiny. Moreover, its creased effect makes this dress suitable not only for special occasions but for a dose of nonchalant elegance.
About the colour Bronze: a delicate dusty shade that adds a sophisticated touch. The image is impalpable and refined.
Laundry Dry clean. However, it is possible to wash carefully by hand in cold water with very soft soap and add white vinegar to prevent colour loss.
When you wear the complete ensemble, The Silk Double Dress is opulent but effortless at the same time. If you choose to wear only one layer requires a slip dress under, and even if less rich, the image is always beautiful. For special occasions, pair it with minimal heels. Or, try it with lace-ups or flat sandals for a nonchalant outfit.
Drop us a message for any further information. We’d love to assist you!
Finally, and long-awaited, today we introduce The Asymmetric Silk Top – by Marc Le Bihan.
After giving you more information about the work of Marc Le Bihan designer and his uncompromised vision of fashion, it’s time to discover his unique pieces.
What stands out is that garments designed with mastery don’t need marketing labels (which are frequently fluff or fake). Why? Because those pieces have a soul. Therefore, they incapsulate all the values such as timelessness and sustainability now popular in fashion. But for a more selected audience who can understand good design and quality, straight to the point.
Discover The Asymmetric Silk Top
About the design The idea starts from a slip top, two thin straps and a v neckline along the front and back. Specifically, two overlapped layers of silk, with raw-cut hemline, shape an asymmetric drape along the right side, which recalls a long tail. Indeed, in the unique silhouette and richness of the material lies the absolute beauty of the design.
About the material 100% silk. The hand is soft and slightly shiny. Moreover, its creased effect makes this top suitable not only for special occasions but for a dose of nonchalant elegance.
The Asymmetric Silk Top by Marc Le Bihan
About the colour Rose poudre: a delicate dusty shade which is feminine and easy to match.
Laundry Dry clean. However, it is possible to wash carefully by hand in cold water with very soft soap and add white vinegar to prevent colour loss.
This statement top is seasonless and timeless, and it works from elegant to refined-cool situations. Our styling tips: try it with a maxi skirt or a white or black tuxedo for elegant occasions. But we like it with red or denim too for aperitivo or dinner. And why not with a pair of shorts and flat sandals for your summer evenings.
The Asymmetric Silk Top will make you feel unique wherever you are.
Drop us a message for any further information. We’d love to help!
The work of Marc Le Bihan represents a meaningful business model. And so, before showing you his gorgeous clothes, we wanted to share again the conversation we had with him. Because it is not about standardised fashion. So, please, take time to know more, to understand the quality and the value offered.
Marc Le Bihan is a fashion designer, artist, and craftsman who creates clothes like a second skin. Indeed, his work goes beyond any classification. His conceptual creativity – manifested through impeccable tailoring, is the expression of a cultured and timeless approach to fashion that refuses trends and their transience.
Completely disconnected from commercial fashion constraints, his couture is a rare example of consistency.
Marc Le Bihan – The interview
• What does it mean to be consistent? Keeping up with your vision when the rest of the world goes in a different direction? Marc Le Bihan: “The other direction is not my world. I do not understand it. To me, it’s a problem of society. I don’t understand the way of being, the lifestyle. That world is not me, and I can’t even think about it. Usually, I don’t watch TV. Yesterday I watched Italian TV, and I wondered, how is it possible? Women pretend to be free, showing exaggerated lips and boobs. But in that, I only see the reflection of a man’s vision. That is not freedom. It’s the fake image of a woman.”
• The state of fashion now. How do you see it? Marc Le Bihan: “The problem with fashion is that people only see the lights, the famous people. There is no sensibility to go further. Branded products are not luxury, not anymore. Luxury is rare, and it’s not for all. To me, it’s not about fashion but more about doing clothes my way. The two roads can cross each other but not as direction to follow.”
• What do you think about social media communication? Marc Le Bihan: “Famous people promote everything. They get paid to sell, it’s all about money. And not only for fashion. Maybe they promote a food they didn’t even taste. We live in the culture of image, not real life. People don’t live the moment, take pictures. And everything is ego-centred. People have lost the meaning of quality and quality of life. That is why I follow my path. And so, our communication is not to do any communication. Everything is too confused, there’s too much of it. We don’t have time for social media, we are busy making clothes. However, it’s not about posting a thousand things. Sometimes we post. Enough.”
The cultural issue
• It’s a matter of culture and education? Marc Le Bihan: “Always. The first problem is education, for everything. The idea of accessing through culture and education to something higher – is dead. And I am concerned about young kids. Now they are totally immersed in this image game.”
Sustainability vs Marketing
• What do you think about sustainability? Marc Le Bihan: “Well, I did it 20 years ago! We were recycling and upcycling uniforms and parachutes. I don’t want to be a part of that circle because everybody is doing it. It’s marketing. To me, it’s more about how we consume and live. Of course, I use sustainable materials, but I don’t advertise. To claim it means being part of the system. My idea is to keep a garment for ten years in the wardrobe, then take it out and still want to wear it because it’s timeless. Mine is a work in progress. If a shirt is good, it’s good forever.”
“Couture is sustainable by definition. There is no overproduction, no minimum orders, and no sales. We produce only on orders, and everything is handmade. Moreover, we find our balance not in over profit. But if everybody gets well paid, we all can live. My staff has been working with me for 25 years. Always the same people, same suppliers. We understand each other. We work like this. Many pieces are made in casa, a la maison, in our atelier.”
And he smiled saying those words. Stubbornly showing a path that is a return to the essential, pure artisanal creativity.
The work of Marc Le Bihan: sustainable, indeed
The work of Marc Le Bihan is artisanal, creative, and independent. Though a rarity in the fashion system, it indicates a valuable business model for a sustainable future.
Usually, behind a collection, there are massive production chains. But there is still fine handcrafted work which we are not used to anymore. Understanding the time and dedication involved in making it is a good exercise.
This week we received Marc Le Bihan‘s order. The delivery was late, but we quietly waited for our selection we made during the Spring/Summer selling campaign in Milano.
The process behind a collection
In short, based on their inspiration, designers put together the ideas, design them and transform them into samples. Then, they show the pieces to international retailers in Milano, Paris, Tokyo, and New York. They take the orders and then launch the production, which is a real struggle nowadays. All this takes a lot of time, attention, and care. And stress too.
Specifically, in Marc Le Bihan’s case, it’s a 100% artisanal production. So take the usual time, attention, care and stress and multiply it by 100.
Now, add a pandemic that made the world stop. So production chains have been disrupted, and suppliers delivered raw materials late. This chain effect will impact the following seasons. The pandemic is not over yet, and as if it wasn’t enough, add the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a war in Europe. So take that dose of stress that we have just multiplied by 100 and double it down.
Perhaps this is the common denominator that connects everyone who runs an independent business. Corporations are affected too, but they play with money and they’ve got their basis covered. Also, they can find some easy loopholes. But independent companies, independent brands are the brave ones. They are at the heart of the communities, and they represent the real sustainable choice.
Artisanal rarities
Among independent brands, you find an authentic rarity like Marc Le Bihan. A designer who made his consistency one of the highest values. Couture and limited productions of high-quality garments made with care, clothes made by hand in his workshop. It is artisanal work, and it takes time.
Understanding the time needed to make tailored clothes means understanding and appreciating their quality and higher value. Our expectations were high and 100% confirmed by the absolute beauty of the clothes we unpacked.
Since quality takes time, we waited for it with reverence. Soon we will describe the pieces, and you’ll discover another universe, which is still possible. Now, more than ever!
