womanswear

A conversation with Marc Le Bihan

Sunday morning, it was pouring hard when we reached our appointment with Marc Le Bihan – in Tortona district. Even though we made our selection the day before, we wanted to dig deeper into his profound couture universe. In a transitional era, where everything looks unstable and meaningless, his persistent artisanal contribution makes the difference.

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-centered. 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.”

White series from Marc Le Bihan SS22 collection
Marc Le Bihan SS22

Fashion, culture & sustainability

• 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.”

• What do you think about sustainability?
Marc Le Bihan: “Well, I did it 20 years ago! We were recycling and upcycling uniforms and parachutes. Now, 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.”

A final note about couture

“Couture is sustainable by definition. In fact, there is no overproduction, no minimum orders, and no sales. We produce only on orders, and everything is handmade. Moreover, we don’t find our balance in over profit. If everybody gets well paid, we all can live. Indeed, 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.”

He smiled saying those words. Stubbornly showing a path that is a return to the essential, pure artisanal creativity.

A conversation with Marc Le Bihan Read More »

The Straight Leg Pants

The Straight Leg Pants are an example of perfect fit. But when we talk about the perfect fit, some look at us as we are mad. Or as we are trying to fool them. Unfortunately, in the overproduction era, people believe clothes are all the same.

In fact, we are a little obsessed with the perfect fit because this reveals an accurate design. Specifically, what stands at the base of a garment, giving it the proper structure.
Nowadays it’s known that people are used to whatever is cheap. So the quality of materials, just like the fit, is not taken into account. People accept modern slavery just to buy fast fashion. Would they ever question quality?

However, we question what we see as we obsessively look for good design.
Therefore, the search for the perfect fit for trousers has its specific meaning. While you can adjust here and there a top or a dress to make it look good, pants must have the perfect cut.

And so we laid our eyes upon the special one: The Straight-Leg Pants. By Plantation – a Japanese brand born sustainable in 1982.

Discover The Straight Leg Pants

The Straight Leg Pants
The Straight Leg Pants
Plantation

Made of 100% Supima cotton, it’s a soft fabric with an elegant luster like a silk blend. This classic stretch material got renewed: the brushed reverse side makes it comfortable for the Autumn / Winter season.

Also, with its soft stretch and warmth but not too thick hand, you can wear it immediately from September when the weather is still warm. And since the pockets on both sides are slit pockets, the waistline looks neat.

The colour? Black. Easy-to-use and easy to match with any item.
Indeed, the styling possibilities for this wardrobe staple are countless. The slender silhouette goes well with dresses and tunics, too. Try the casual style with a rolled-up hem.

The composition is: 98% cotton – 2% polyurethane
You can wash them by hand.

We tested this item on different body shapes and are delighted to tell you that the fit is absolutely fantastic!
Yes, we don’t need too many pieces. We only need the right ones.

Please, contact us for any further information.

The Straight Leg Pants Read More »

The Oversized Blouson

Unpacking new arrivals is always a happy moment. Indeed, we are taking this chance to introduce you to our Fall/Winter 21 pieces as soon as they come in.

As fashion news reports these days, fast fashion is booming, back to the pre-pandemic levels. Like nothing happened.
Overproduction and overconsumption are still ruling. Why question it!

However, we moved in the opposite direction, our worldview is different, and we believe in a more conscious way to live and work.
‘Consume less’ is the imperative, a lifestyle approach from now on. With these words written on a post-it in front of us, we made our selection for the coming season. And for the following ones too.
We only select clothing that makes a difference.

Discover our new arrivals: The Oversized Blouson

For the Fall/Winter season, we picked out a beautiful oversized blouson. It’s from ZUCCA – a Japanese brand known to a fashion-conscious audience for its unique cuts and design.

Mustard yellow oversized blouson • By Zucca
The Oversized Blouson

The material is sweatshirt – 100% cotton. Therefore you may expect a sporty garment. But, it is not. The hand of the fabric is shiny and stiff, providing a unique texture to the jacket. When we select a sweatshirt, it is never too casual. Surely, we do not renounce elegance.

Asymmetric side buttoned, it has a wide collar and a loose silhouette.
The line is stylish and comfortable. All the stitching details along the inside are made with special care. So it will look neat even when worn unbuttoned.

The colour? Mustard yellow. This season we need some bright hues to boost a sense of joy. You can match it with soft tones for an understated outfit or with bright colours to stand out. The final result is up to you, your personality or your mood.

Last but not least, you can wash it by hand.

We are happy to help you with style advice or any discussion that may arise about fashion and lifestyle.

The Oversized Blouson Read More »

The niche choice

When it comes to fashion or lifestyle choices, you have two options: take the most popular brands or search for what’s different. Likewise, you can go on holidays where crowds go or search for your places, out of the beaten path.

Needless to say that we tend to go for the latter. And if you interact with us – in person or through our digital world – you are on the same page. Perhaps, as we did, you have seen everything in fashion, and now you want more.

So we look for what we call niche designers or niche brands.
And it’s not that we don’t like popular brands. Indeed, we could handpick some cool items out of those collections. But, we love to search for something more unique. For a style that is special, and not immediately recognizable. Therefore, more personal.
That style is you.

Key points for our niche choice

What are the keys we use to analyze fashion collections?

Design and style
First, we are attracted by the designer’s viewpoint, what the brand is bringing in. From what we consider a valuable style proposal, we pick out the pieces we like. Which, then, are reviewed from other perspectives to match our quality standards. The construction and fit, how the garment falls. Wearing occasion and materials. The price point.

Timeless aesthetic
We select items that you can wear for a long time. If some pieces recall a fashion trend, it is never too much to make those items seem old the season after. Indeed, our pieces always look fashion-forward.

Seasonless
We tend to select items that you can wear during the whole year long. By layering, you can use them not only during a given season. It avoids fashion cycles and so the ‘buy & toss’ attitude.

Comfortable
Pieces that you can wear on multiple occasions, but you are never out of place.

Of course, a niche selection is not for everyone. But that makes it even more special.

The niche choice Read More »

Heading to the beach – The maxi shirt dress

Thinking about beach style gives a sense of joy and freedom. Indeed, getting ready for a holiday at the seaside sounds so good.

But to rock the perfect beach style, do we need to change our clothing completely?

We do not think so. In fact, it’s just a matter of styling the pieces in different ways and playing with the accessories.

For instance, take the maxi shirt dress. The ultimate seasonless item, it is one of the most versatile pieces. Its soft texture and shaped silhouette are absolutely unique.

In town, it is easy to match in a perfect layering style. Wear it with a pair of jeans, a skirt or try it unbuttoned on a dress, adding a belt to complete the look. When the weather is cold, the options are a top or turtleneck underneath or a cardigan over.

But at the seaside, when the sun shines, it’s time to roll up the sleeves, button-up only the top buttons, and match it with a pair of shorts and flat sandals. So, you are ready for a walk in the village.
Are you going to lunch at the beach? Wear the maxi shirt dress totally unbuttoned over your swimsuit. And don’t forget a straw hat.

There are garments worth investing in. And the maxi shirt dress is one of those.

We don’t need to buy tons of items. We need fewer pieces, but good quality.

Finally, in case you cannot buy our maxi shirt dress, this is our style advice. Take a shirt from your husband, boyfriend or father’s wardrobe. That oversized fit makes it so cool!

Heading to the beach – The maxi shirt dress Read More »