The SSENSE Guide to French Clothing Brands
For centuries, France has set the pace of luxury fashion. In 2024, the list of French brands worth knowing is at an all-time high.
It’s half-past five in the morning on August 15, 1976, when Claude Lelouch, driving a shining red Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9, roars down the Champs-Élysées at up to 200 kilometers per hour, rips around les jardins des Tuileries and past l’Opéra before winding through the lanes of Montmartre—barely avoiding pedestrians, flocks of pigeons, and a trash truck—screeching to a halt at le Sacré-Cœur. The white-knuckle ride takes just 8 minutes and 7 seconds, and it’s all captured on a 1000-foot roll of 35mm reel filmed from a camera on the front of the car.
is an iconic snippet of French cinema, and while the driving might be the main attraction, it’s the final shot of an elegant Parisienne wearing a simple, floaty, off-the-shoulder summer dress reaching the top of the steps of the Sacré-Cœur just as Lelouch arrives only for them to embrace above the city of love that leaves a lasting impression. It’s one of countless undeniable assertions that French culture, from film to fashion, offers drama, passion, and romance like nothing else.From the courts of Louis XIV to the contemporary streets of Le Marais or the bars of Marseille, France has a fashion story that arguably stretches wider and further than any other nation in the world. Put simply, French royalty invented luxury as we know it—gilded fabrics, supple leathers, precious jewelry—and despite an affinity for revolution, the country remains the home of some of the world’s richest luxury fashion conglomerates in LVMH and Kering.But beyond historical wealth, France is a supercharged breeding ground for new trends and cultural innovation. Today, the best French brands continue to represent the freshest perspectives, setting the pace for the rest of luxury fashion in terms of heritage and modernity. Whether it’s the elegance of the Riviera realized by JACQUEMUS, Marine Serre’s raw Parisian energy, or understated chic nonchalantly assembled by A.P.C., this list acts as a road map to the world center of fashion.
1987 Paris : @apc_paris A.P.C. typifies the classic Parisian affinity for expert simplicity. On the surface, Jean Touitou’s label might feel easy to replicate, but the luxury leathers, perfectly tailored shirts, and best-in-class indigo denim prove otherwise.
2012 Paris : @adieushoes Built on classic British design heritage and taking cues from punks, mods, and the aristocracy, ADIEU—the brainchild of Parisian duo Benjamin Caron and Isabelle Guédon—poses a subversive oxymoron in footwear form. Chunky crepe sole units recontextualize patent leather derby uppers to signal ADIEU’s penchant for organized chaos.
1979 Paris : @maisonalaia Originally trained as a sculptor, the late great Azzedine Alaïa trained as a couturier under Christian Dior. Since it was founded, Alaïa has sought to emphasize the beauty of the female form with immaculate silhouettes that earned the designer the nickname “the king of cling.”
2011 Paris : @amiparis Designer and founder Alexandre Mattiussi launched his label in 2011 after stints at Dior Homme, Marc Jacobs, and Givenchy, with the purpose of dressing his close friends. Since then, AMI Paris has expanded well beyond the designer’s inner circle. Collaborating with names like Moncler, PUMA, and ALAN CROCETTI, the label has become a cornerstone of contemporary French fashion.
2016 Paris : @atleinparis Founder Antonin Tron cites his love for surfing as a major inspiration for ATLEIN, which launched in 2016. After graduating from the illustrious Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Tron gained experience at Raf Simons, Louis Vuitton, and Givenchy, each of which feeds into the uniquely elegant and daring silhouettes of ATLEIN. Using upcycled, natural, and recycled materials to produce its garments, Tron ties each collection back to his love for the ocean and nature.
1945 Paris : @balmain Since 1945, Pierre Balmain’s brand has grown to become one of the world’s most respected names in luxury fashion, aided in no small part by Olivier Rousteing, who has held the creative director role since 2011. Rousteing has carried Balmain into the modern era with a cocktail of streetwear and tailoring that captured pop culture in the 2010s and continues to evolve with the times.
1995 Paris & Berlin : @bless_service Founded in 1995, Bless gained a name for itself first in 1997 when Maison Margiela used its N°00 fur wig in the Fall/Winter show. Over the subsequent years, designers Desiree Heiss and Ines Kaag built the mercurial, multifaceted identity that characterizes Bless. Part home decor, part luxe womenswear, part accessory expert, the brand consciously defies classification.
2014 Paris : @carnebollente Not many brands can say that they came to be from an online date gone wrong; Carne Bollente can. And where better to start a label that sings the praises of sexuality in all of its forms? With the goal of removing the taboo around nudity and sex, Carne Bollente’s collections are sprinkled with subtle (and not so subtle) nods to sexual freedom.
2018 Paris : @casablancabrand Casablanca founder Charaf Tajer combines his Moroccan roots and his profound connection with streetwear and luxury fashion to craft Casablanca’s unique visual identity. Sun-soaked color palettes and bold graphics detail staple pieces from tennis dresses to swimwear.
2008 Paris : @caseycaseyworks CASEY CASEY’s focus on artisanal everyday garments has been unerring since it was founded in 2008. The brand’s airy silhouettes are all handmade in a Paris atelier to bring spades of luxury to day-to-day style.
1952 Paris : @chloe No discussion about the best French fashion brands is complete without mentioning Chloé. Founder Gaby Aghion revolutionized fashion with the label’s prêt-à-porter collections that didn’t sacrifice high-end luxury and glamour. With Chemena Kamali as creative director, Chloé collections continue to celebrate femininity with simple, elegant silhouettes, luxe fabrics, and soft color palettes.
2013 Paris : @coperni Coperni is inextricably linked to its Bella Hadid spray-on dress moment for SS23, and while this was a perfectly engineered conversation point, it also epitomizes the Parisian label’s approach. “We love to think of Coperni as a platform sometimes, inviting people from science and technology to collaborate, and share their work with a whole new audience,” cofounder Arnaud Vaillant tells SSENSE.
1961 Paris : @courreges Cited as the creator of the miniskirt, Courrèges has cemented its place in fashion history. Since 1961, husband-wife duo André and Coqueline Courrèges moved with the times, not by copying the zeitgeist, but by designing it themselves. Now, under the artistic direction of Nicolas Di Felice, the label feels as fresh as ever, retaining its space-age aesthetic with a clean, refined edge.
2008 Paris : @coteetciel Since 2008, côte&ciel has carved out a unique spot in the world of accessories. Part utilitarian, part avant-garde luxury, the label’s unmistakable geometric bags are cut from waterproof fabrics and feature technical details like bungee fastenings and taped zips.
2014 Paris : @droledemonsieur With no previous design experience, Dany Dos Santos and Maxime Schwab launched Drôle de Monsieur in 2014. Combining snappy, memorable taglines like “not from Paris, madame” with luxury streetwear sensibilities, the design duo has seen unprecedented success.
2019 Paris : @egon_lab A founding tenet of EGONlab is its use of materials that absorb carbon dioxide. Beyond sustainability, the brand stands for out-there, punk and horror movie–inspired design that always surprises and excites. From big flares to denim skirts, oversized tailoring, and more, the gender-fluid brand subverts and combines disparate subcultures, ending in one cohesive and unmistakable vision.
1968 Paris : @eres To hold steadfast to one category for more than half a century suggests both mastery of said category and absolute faith in a brand’s goal. Since 1968, ERES has created some of the most luxurious women’s swimwear on the market. Its 1996 acquisition by Chanel changed nothing, and the brand continues to use its proprietary Peau Douce fabric to craft high-end swimming gear.
1952 Paris : @givenchy Few brands have had as large an impact on contemporary luxury fashion as Givenchy. Since it was founded by Hubert de Givenchy in 1952, it has been the architect of countless pivotal cultural moments, from Audrey Hepburn’s to an era of hip-hop’s most experimental looks in the 2010s.
2012 Paris : @husbandsparis Mick Jagger, Bryan Ferry, and Serge Gainsbourg are some of history’s most stylish men, and also three names that Husbands founder Nicolas Gabard cites as the inspirations behind each collection. Husbands’s inimitable, punchy tailoring has left an indelible mark on menswear in its first decade.
2012 Paris : @ingoldwetrust_paris We’re living in a golden age for jewelry, where the preordained rules of the game have fallen away. IN GOLD WE TRUST perfectly exemplifies this new era, incorporating compasses, florals, bottle openers, and more into its range of refined jewelry.
1995 Paris : @isabelmarant In a bid to create collections of womenswear that avoided being too girly or elaborate, Isabel Marant crafted its signature understated aesthetic to prioritize timelessness. Easygoing knits accompany supple leather and shearling jackets, as well as unmistakable It pieces, like fringed boots and wedge sneakers.
2009 Paris : @jacquemus Simon Porte Jacquemus’s eponymous brand has seen the kind of success that every designer dreams of. Whether it’s the graceful sculptural cuts, the celebrity endorsements, or the social media–frenzied shows, JACQUEMUS has quickly become one of the most popular French clothing brands in the world.
1976 Paris : @jeanpaulgaultier Founded in 1976, Jean Paul Gaultier is a blueprint for staying relevant. Still one of the most talked-about and on-the-pulse labels in fashion, the house has seen many generations but always retained a core character, whether it comes in the form of grungy mesh layers or sexy sailor chic.
2010 Paris : @justineclenquet At the age of just 18, Justine Clenquet founded her eponymous label in Paris and has spent the last decade perfecting her craft. That craft is jewelry with attitude. Mismatched chain links connected by bold charms and pendants have become a brand signature.
1988 La Romagne : @kleman_france Taking after their grandfather, who began making leather shoes in 1945 after returning from war, KLEMAN founders Alex and Mathieu Cléon have found a place in everyday French style with a range of workwear-inspired shoes ranging from derbies to commando-soled boots.
1933 Troyes : @lacoste Founded by legendary tennis player René “The Crocodile” Lacoste, Lacoste has seamlessly made the transition from sportswear to the lifestyle sector. Today, Lacoste is still known and loved for its pique polo shirts, but a collection of vintage-inspired staples has been crafted around them to create a holistic everyday wardrobe.
1889 Paris : @lanvin Lanvin holds the coveted title of the oldest fashion house in Paris, and while this brings a mountain of heritage with it, the label has passed the test of time, staying relevant with designs like the Curb Sneaker.
2013 Paris : @legramme_officiel In a world of wild jewelry, Le Gramme decided to go the opposite direction, stripping each ring, cuff, or chain down to its most essential aspects and nothing more. Each piece features a weight stamp as the only logo.
1991 Paris : @lemaire_official LEMAIRE’s ability to combine the everyday with the exceptional is a leading feature of its character, whether that’s in the form of collections that connect the dots between workwear fabrics and experimental proportions, or the label’s ability to balance its luxury line and collaborations with the likes of UNIQLO.
2019 Paris : @louloustudio_paris For Loulou Studio founder Chloé Harrouche, Paris acts as an artistic and sartorial muse. Inspired by the city’s architecture, art, and identity, Harrouche crafts a seasonal collection of understated, comfortable staples that have garnered a cult following.
2002 Paris : @maisonkitsune Inspired by concept stores in Japan, ex-Daft Punk manager Gildas Loaëc and architect Masaya Kuroki launched Maison Kitsuné. The Paris-based label offers understated essentials from hoodies through to polo shirts, all featuring the signature fox logo.
2016 Paris : @marineserre_official While for many brands, sustainability becomes the only talking point, Marine Serre has embedded it in the literal fabric of her eponymous label. Using a patchwork of upcycled fabrics and clever branding, Marine Serre’s singular visual identity is part and parcel of its journey toward sustainability.
1952 Monestier-de-Clermont : @moncler Having conquered the world of technical outdoor gear, Moncler has naturally grown into a more fashion-forward label thanks to its Grenoble and Genius offshoots. Best-in-class down insulation combines with the creativity of designers like Craig Green and Pierpaolo Piccioli to make Moncler a formidable all-rounder.
1974 Paris : @muglerofficial Thierry Mugler’s iconic aesthetic rose to prominence in the ’80s when the designer’s maximalist approach hit all of the era’s touchpoints. Under the creative direction of Casey Cadwallader, the brand’s allure hasn’t faded, with signature bodysuits still flooding social media and earning celebrity support each season.
2012 Paris : @officinegenerale After a decade in fast fashion, Officine Générale acted as a form of liberation for founder Pierre Mahéo. His label was born as an opportunity to use the best materials and craftsmanship, freeing him of the fast-paced race to the bottom of his previous career. Simple, purpose-driven silhouettes take inspiration from Mahéo’s tailor grandfather and oysterman father, who presented a duality in styles during the designer’s upbringing.
1966 Paris : @rabanne Formerly known as Paco Rabanne, Rabanne originated in Spain but calls Paris its home. Since the mid-’60s, the house has offered embellished ready-to-wear and accessories typified by brand signatures such as its chain-mail designs, metallic flourishes, and sequined details.
1947 Paris : @repettoparis Rose Repetto made her first ballet shoes in 1947, but it wasn’t until she opened her first boutique in 1959 that her eponymous brand began to earn recognition as the place for prima ballerinas to get top-quality dancewear. Fast-forward to the present day and Repetto’s graceful, classic collection of ballet flats has become a staple for everyday elegance.
2019 Paris : @rierofficial Pulling from his upbringing in the South Tyrol region of Italy, as well as experience at Miu Miu, Prada, and Louis Vuitton, Rier founder Andreas Steiner presents a collection that balances the delicate with the hardy. Rier’s equal attention to classic heritage and contemporary luxury has made it one of the most exciting fledgling brands in France.
1947 Annecy : @salomon Beginning as a workshop producing saw blades before pivoting to skis, Salomon has taken a roundabout route to becoming one of the premier outdoor clothing brands in the world, but it got there in the end. Today, the French brand is loved for its range of trail runners, which spearheaded the gorp revolution in recent years and continue to offer specialist specs alongside streetwear style.
2016 Paris : @satisfyrunning Parisian label Satisfy has surfed the cresting wave of stylish running gear since 2016, outfitting fashion week running clubs all year round. With an eye for aesthetics as well as expert technical features, the collection unsurprisingly appeals to the style-conscious runner, of which there is an ever-growing supply.
2005 Paris : @veja By putting an ethical production chain before anything else, VEJA has made headway since 2005 to become one of the world’s leading sustainable footwear brands. In a space where many others opted for sustainability over style, VEJA’s refreshingly balanced approach paid dividends.
2020 Paris : @viron_world Combining over 25 years of industry experience, Virón cofounders Mats Rombaut and Julian Romer have set out to create a range of luxury footwear that uses plant-based materials. Distinctive, grungy visuals are the foundation for Virón’s success, with a roster of silhouettes that grows by the season.
2010 Paris : @yproject_official Although cofounded by Gilles Elalouf and the late French designer Yohan Serfaty in 2010, Y/Project’s appointment of Glenn Martens as creative director in 2013 became a pivotal moment in the brand’s trajectory. The label has dominated recent seasons with impressive runway shows and a pitch-perfect grasp of nostalgic Y2K style.
