Le Vestiaire de Jeanne – French Label

I came across this unique and sophisticated French label the other day and I was intrigued and touched. The story is interesting. Charlotte Le Stum-Meyer, an 18 year-old Medical student, makes some clothes for her beautiful little six year-old sister, blogs about it, people clamor to buy her clothes, she drops out of Medical school and launches Le Vestiaire de Jeanne (which means “The Wardrobe of Jeanne”). I also love that her sister is named Jeanne…well because my name is Jeanne (both pronounced Zhan). And in the process, the sisters grow closer and work together. Very sweet.

Now for the clothes. They are inspired by Japanese designers such as Yohji Yamamoto, work uniforms, and Jeanne herself among other things. The lines are usually simple and the garments are in neutral colors and fabrics like wool and linen. I love the interesting art direction and themes she works and something about the mood of these clothes fascinates me. This season is inspired by a series of photographs by Irving Penn called « small trades ». Begun in Paris in 1950 and continued over the next year in London and New York, the photographs present full-length studies of individuals in their work clothes and carrying the tools of their trades. Charlotte selected four trades and imagined their wardrobe : sweeper, « garçon de café », washer and carpenter. The range is available on their website and also in boutiques worldwide. There is also a women’s range and design for the home. They also sell other brands such as Bobo Choses and Caramel Baby & Child on their website.