One of the many perks about being in Paris is having access to so many European brands. More so than in New York.
Last week I treated myself to an appointment at La Collections showroom in Paris, which, coincidentally is also the founders Parisian apartment.
For those unfamiliar with the brand, La Collection is a Belgian brand, founded in 2017 by Florence Cools (a great follow on instagram btw) and her husband Artur Tadevosian.
Their flagship store is located in Antwerp, however for those based in, or passing through, Paris, they can experience the brands ethereal, yet substantial, minimalism just a stones throw away from the Tuillerieis.
My gut response when I first encountered La Collection was “if someone loves The Row, then they’ll absolutely love La Collection”, however I’m trying to break the habit of conflating brands and products with each other. While they may have similar design languages and perhaps a shared love of impeccable quality and designing wearable clothes, each brand serves its own purpose.
La Collection takes an understated approach to design, valuing craftsmanship and natural materials like wool, silk, cotton, cashmere and linen. Timeless tailoring, floor sweeping silhouettes (at least for those of us who are sub 5’7”), a backless silk cami - their collection undulates between masculine and feminine. Equal parts refined and relaxed. A prime example of effortlessly chic.
Each piece is created to last, meant to carry you from one season, and occasion, to the next, and harmonize with the rest of your wardrobe.
“The La Collection woman doesn’t buy clothes for name tags. She buys products she loves and she’s knowledgeable about quality. We’re a luxury brand in the sense that we’re in a higher price range, but only because of the price of the fabric and the craftsmanship that goes into making the garment. We appeal to a conscious woman. A woman who wants clothes that she can wear to work, or wear to dinner. She looks for products that she can live her life in.” ~ Florence Cools
It’s an approach that speaks deeply to me. A refreshing antidote to TikTok-core’s and micro trends. As I’ve gotten older, this is what I’ve found myself gravitating towards - a wardrobe that I get excited to wear over and over again. One that will carry me through life, not get in the way of it.
(Don’t get me wrong, I love a little fashion with a capital F. I’m forever balancing my inner Carrie Bradshaw, Elin Kling, Florence Cools and MKA.)
Perhaps what peaks my interest most though, is how they fit into the world of fashion.
They are a slow fashion brand. Opting to produce only two collections a year (often outside of the standard fashion calendar) that live longer on the retail floor and carry over between seasons. Instead of slotting into the fashion industry as we know it, which often forces brands to cut corners to deliver more, faster, and cheaper, La Collection prioritizes slower growth to insure that they can deliver a consistent level of quality and produce in a more mindful way.
Luxury for sure, but only to account for the price of the fabric and craftsmanship that goes into each garment. Based on what I’ve read, and can see, they spend very little on marketing and big splashy shows. And while I can’t say for certain that their supply chain is 100% traceable, it appears as though they have a responsible design and manufacturing process.
The showroom itself is located in the heart of Paris in the 1st arrondissement. Nestled between Rue Saint-Honoré and Rue de Rivoli in a nondescript, yet charmingly French, building. It feels less like a showroom and more like an impeccably decorated home complete with vintage art and objects alike, book-nook worthy chairs, and a large round reclaimed wood table that could be as much of a dining room table as a table for buyers to gather around while previewing the collection.
I had a general idea of what I wanted to try on (I was primarily focused on dresses and coats - shocker), but wanted to peruse the whole collection. It’s a different kind of luxury to be able to touch and feel clothes in person let alone try on multiple sizes without footing astronomical shipping costs or swallowing unfavorable exchange rates.
Bless Nika for entertaining me as I tried on every piece that caught my eye. I had no intention of buying anything (after all, it was my first date with the brand), but she didn’t bat an eye as I continued to say “might as well try it while I’m here!”. She was just as eager as I was to talk through each piece and the brand.
A few of my favorites below. I selfishly love that they only release two collections a year - more time for me to marinate on my purchases.
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