The French raise a glass – and millions – for Duralex

Like their Picardie tumblers – a staple of school canteens considered as iconic as Levi’s jeans and Swiss Army knives – French glassworks Duralex has a habit of bouncing back.

Last month, it did so in impressive style (for the fourth time) when a public appeal for emergency funding saw patriotic French design fans rally to help reach its fundraising target in under six hours.

This Guardian article on Duralex’s history, upgrade and plans for the future makes an interesting read.

Famous French Brands: Poivre Blanc

The obsession of French tweens and teens in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Poivre Blanc (White Pepper) is back on the cool kids' radar with a line of vintage tees, tags, caps and sweaters that harks back to its surfwear-meets-streetwear roots.

Founded in 1984 by Danny Sebright, the Marseille-born *marque started out producing bright, sporty t-shirts featuring animated characters and fun prints that garnered a cult following. However, it evolved its offering in 1989 and is now the go-to for luxurious, high-tech skiwear – with a price tag to match.

Whether on the court, at yoga class or swishing down the slopes, Poivre Blanc’s technically advanced sportswear for women, men and children cuts a fine figure. But it’s the nostalgic appeal of the vintage designs that have put the brand back in the spotlight.

According to the website…

“La collection vintage de Poivre Blanc a été créée pour célébrer et préserver l’héritage unique de la marque. Ce revival permet de reconnecter les clients avec les souvenirs joyeux et l’authenticité des débuts de Poivre Blanc, tout en attirant un nouveau public qui apprécie le charme rétro.

“Les motifs et designs de la collection vintage sont inspirés par les archives de la marque, reprenant des éléments graphiques et colorés qui avaient fait son succès, modernisés pour aujourd’hui. Ce retour aux racines est aussi une réponse à la demande croissante pour des vêtements qui allient style, histoire et durabilité.”

*Ou, en anglais…

“The Poivre Blanc Vintage Collection was created to celebrate and preserve the brand's unique heritage. This revival reconnects customers with the joyful memories and authenticity of Poivre Blanc's early days, while attracting a new audience who appreciates its retro charm.

“The patterns and designs of the Vintage Collection are inspired by the brand's archives, incorporating graphic and colourful elements that made it successful, modernised for today. This return to its roots is also a response to the growing demand for clothing that combines style, history, and sustainability.”

View the Poivre Blanc range on the website.

*brand | *Or, in English

Famous French Brands: CABAIA

Wander the streets of any French city, and you’ll spot the wares of hip, eco-conscious brand CABAIA on the backs or heads of all the cool kids. Founded in 2015 by Bastien Valensi and Emilien Foiret, the burgeoning luggage and accessories brand launched with a range of *bonnets topped with interchangeable pompoms – and, alongside sustainability, that idea of customisation is still at the heart of the brand.

cabaia.com

Achieving B Corp certification in 2022, CABAIA has donated 28,8343€ to partner charities, including the SPA (French Society for the Protection of Animals). With a lifetime guarantee, the brand’s products are manufactured in ethical factories, and 67% contain recycled plastic.

With a mission “to turn every trip into a journey, multiplying experiences and living life on our own terms,” CABAIA has quickly grown a loyal following with its modular *sacs à dos – featuring removable front pockets that can be swapped for different colours and styles.

The playful and innovative brand continues to “make mobility more beautiful”, and with over 30 stores in France and Belgium and more than 2,500 stockists, it seems CABAIA’s journey is one to follow.

Visit the CABAIA website for more information.

* beanies | * backpacks

Famous French Brands: La Vache Qui Rit

With an iconic look and a delightful backstory, La Vache Qui Rit, or “The Laughing Cow”, is a brand of processed cheese products produced by Fromageries Bel. Wrapped in nostalgia, the wedges of mild and creamy, spreadable cheese – made with a blend of cheddar, gouda, edam, emmental and comté – were created in 1921 by French cheesemaker Léon Bel.

The instantly recognisable red cow logo, complete with cheese-round earrings, was designed by celebrated illustrator Benjamin Rabier. During World War I, Rabier, then a French officer, painted a laughing cow on meat trucks transporting rations for soldiers. He nicknamed it “Wachkyrie,” a cheeky nod to the Germans’ “Walkyries,” inspired by Wagner’s famous Ride of the Valkyries.

When said aloud in French, the pun sounded like “Vache Qui Rit” – sparking the imagination of young dairy farmer, Léon Bel. When Bel later launched his fromage* – the first soft, portioned processed cheese in aluminium packaging that could be easily shared and transported – he asked Rabier to create a new version of the laughing cow. In bright red with her signature earrings, she became the cheerful mascot stocking dairy aisles today.

Loved by adults and kids alike, La Vache has since become a staple in lunchboxes in over 120 countries across the globe.

* cheese

PS: This one’s for you, Antoine.

Famous French brands: Repetto

With the recent resurgence in popularity of that early 2000s staple, the ballet flat, what better time to spotlight the iconic French company that does it best: Repetto. In ballet and fashion, few names hold as much prestige as Repetto – known for its craftsmanship, enduring style and star-studded following.

La marque* was founded in 1947 when Rose Repetto set out to create the perfect ballet shoe for her son, celebrated dancer Roland Petit. Her handmade shoes quickly gained a reputation for their comfort and quality, achieved with a unique “stitch and return” technique that ensures flexibilité* and an unparalleled fit.

Repetto shoes soon shod les pieds* of other renowned dancers, including Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov, with the brand providing ballet shoes for the Opéra National de Paris to this day. However, it wasn’t until a fortuitous pairing that the brand’s reputation truly took off.

In 1956, an ascendant star, Brigitte Bardot, commissioned a pair of ballet flats, the "Cendrillon," for her film And God Created Woman. The shoes became an instant success – and a style signature of B.B.

In the early 2000s, Repetto ballet flats were the footwear du jour, popularised by celebrities like Kate Moss and Amy Winehouse wearing them on repeat. And while Carrie Bradshaw would never be seen without her towering heels, Sarah Jessica Parker regularly embraced Repetto flats as a chic and comfortable alternative off the screen.

Other admirateurs* over the years have included French singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg, who loved the Zizi style designed for dancer Zizi Jeanmaire, and Karl Lagerfeld, who often sent models down the runway in Repetto.

Today, the company produces various footwear styles, ready-to-wear clothing and accessories. However, it’s Rose's chic and comfortable ballet shoes that have earned Repetto an enduring iconic status.

Learn more of l’histoire de Repetto* here.

*The brand | *flexibility | *the feet |*fans | *the story of Repetto

Famous French Brands: Mariage Frères

Can’t go past a refreshing tasse de thé*? Then consider popping on the kettle and pouring yourself a first-class cup from renowned French tea brand Mariage Frères.

Founded in Paris in 1854, Mariage Frères has long been elevating tea drinking into an indulgent art. 

Coming from a family of traders with a lust for loose leaves, brothers Henri and Edouard Mariage embarked on a mission to import teas from China, Japan and India – and their eponymous business was born.

Securing a legion of tea-drinking fans with its signature blends and elegant packaging, Mariage Frères today has boutiques and concessions across the globe. 

If you need to find un cadeau* in Paris? Drop by one of their flagship stores in the chic Marais district or Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, and you won't leave empty-handed. 

Enjoyed by local pinkie-raisers and tourists alike, the marque* was one of the first to promote the health benefits of green tea. However, it's Marco Polo, a fragrant blend with notes of fruit and flowers, and the robust Earl Grey Imperial the brand is best known for. 

With a rich history and commitment to quality, Mariage Frères continues to inspire joy with every not-so-humble cup of tea. Read more of their story here.

*cup of tea | *a gift | *brand

Famous French brands: Ladurée

At 16 Rue Royale in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, clad in pastel green and gold, stands the original Ladurée – a petite and enduring patisserie founded in 1862 by Louis-Ernest Ladurée. 

Initially une boulangerie*, Ladurée was rebuilt following a fire to become one of the city's first tea rooms, opening in 1871. At the time, Paris was undergoing significant cultural and social transformations, and Ladurée and his wife Jeanne had a vision to create a refined gathering place for the Parisian elite. 

Their eponymous establishment rapidement* became just that – capturing the imagination of Parisian society and attracting intellectuals, artists and socialites to indulge in the exquisite pastries and teas amidst Ladurée's elegant ambience. 

However, it wasn’t until decades later that la marque's* most iconic culinary creation came to be. In 1930, the Parisian pastry chef Pierre Desfontaines, grand-cousin of Louis-Ernes, had a lightbulb moment and cemented two macaron shells together with a filling of velvety ganache. And this is how the Parisian macaron was born, mes ami(e)s*!

Central to Ladurée's international allure is this veritable rainbow of macarons in classic flavours like vanilla and chocolate to exotic renditions such as matcha and lychee. No trip to Paris is complete without sampling these delicate confections – and, trust us, you won't stop at just one!

Today, Ladurée stands as a global emblem of Parisian elegance, with boutiques and tearooms from Tokyo to New York, including high-end department stores like Galeries Lafayette and Harrods. 

It's also been immortalised in literature, fashion and film. From Marcel Proust's evocative descriptions of madeleines to Sofia Coppola's cinematic ode in Marie Antoinette, Ladurée has left an indelible mark on popular culture. As well as our collective tastebuds. 

For more, visit the Ladurée France website.

*a bakery | *quickly | *the brand’s | *my friends

Five Cult French Pharmacy Finds

Travelling to France? Plan on packing an extra tote for your beauty haul as you're headed to skincare-lover paradise! With cosmetics sections that rival any department store, French pharmacies are veritable treasure troves of skincare wonders where beauty buffs flock for coveted products that promise radiant, flawless, French-girl peau*. 

Renowned for their minimalist approach to makeup and unwavering dedication to skincare, the French prioritise healthy, glowing complexions above all else. So, do as they do next trip and stock up on these five cult French pharmacy finds to elevate your skincare routine to new heights.

NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil: A multi-purpose dry oil beloved by beauty enthusiasts worldwide, NUXE Huile Prodigieuse is a luxurious elixir that nourishes, hydrates and illuminates the skin and hair. Infused with precious botanical oils, this cult favourite is suitable for all skin types, delivering a radiant glow and delicious fragrance with each application.

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water: Seen backstage at catwalk shows, this holy grail skincare staple is a gentle yet effective cleanser that removes la maquillage*, impurities and excess oil without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier. Ideal for sensitive skin types, the dermatologist-recommended formula soothes and calms irritation, leaving the skin clean, refreshed and balanced.

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré: Loved by makeup artists, models and celebs alike, Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré is a luxurious moisturiser that doubles as a primer and makeup remover. Enriched with nourishing ingredients like shea butter and aloe vera, this iconic cream hydrates, softens and smooths the skin, creating the perfect canvas for makeup application while promoting long-term skin health.

A313 Vitamin A Cream: A cult classic in French skincare, A313 Vitamin A Cream is a potent retinoid treatment renowned for its transformative anti-ageing benefits. Formulated with retinyl palmitate, a gentle derivative of vitamin A, this powerhouse cream stimulates collagen production, reduces the appearance of fine lines and les rides* and refines skin texture for a youthful, radiant complexion.

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5: A soothing and reparative balm for the face and body, La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 is a must-have for addressing a myriad of skin concerns, from dryness and irritation to minor wounds and burns. Enriched with panthenol, the rich, dermatologist-tested formula provides immediate relief, accelerates skin regeneration and restores comfort to even the most sensible* skin types.

Happy shopping!

*skin | * makeup | *wrinkles | *sensitive