7 Under The Radar French Brands You've Never Heard Of
Get to know them first before all your friends do. By Michelle Varinata
As one of the best kept secrets of Instagram, this French cult accessory designer is the queen of kitschy cool with a twist of '60s to '90s glam. From her famous BB mules to mock croc bags, you can't ignore the appeal of every burst of colour, finish and style.
Fun fact: Amelie Pichard once collaborated with Pamela Anderson to release a line of limited edition vegan footwear.
Named after the one and only Brigitte Bardot, these mules get a '90s-inspired treatment with a holographic finish. Style these with a printed floral dress, straw bag and tiny sunglasses for the perfect summer look.
Amelie Pichard BB Mules Disco, €275 at Amelie Pichard
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Vegetarians and animal rights activists rejoice! No real crocodiles were harmed to make this bag. Brag to all your friends that you got a big paycheck to treat yourself.
Amelie Pichard ABag Croco Orange, €595 at Amelie Pichard
Miss your favourite restaurant in Paris? Show your love for your beloved moules frites by rocking this belt.
Amelie Pichard Mussel Belt, €120 at Amelie Pichard
Buttery soft leathers, logomania and multi-functional clohting don't belong in the same sentence; however, you can't ignore the MIT-level prowess that Le Snob has. Trust us, you might want to get prepared to max out your credit card.
It's a bag! It's a dress! But no, it's actually a bag AND a dress! A bag by day and a dress by night, you can make a happy hour outfit with this convertible garment in an instant without having to return to your house.
Le Snob Le Couture Bag Dress, €3,200 at Le Snob
Since Dr. Seuss, a hat is fashion's go-to essential for adding elements of surprise. Whether you're dressed up to the nines or dressed down to hit your neighbourhood hawker stall, one little fabric covering the crown of your head can make or break an outfit. Emblazoned with logos from crown to brim, there's no turning back once you put it on.
P.S. You can store your hat inside its matching circle bag in case you don't plan on wearing it!
Le Snob Hat in a Circle and Circle Bag, €289.90 at Le Snob
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The sickeningly sweet artificial fruity scents that you once sprayed all over your body during your secondary school days are over. For a sophisticated take on your teenage staple, the raspberry and green mandarin-based scent takes a sensual twist with musk, Javanese vetiver and rose. No longer will you have to be embarrassed about wearing a scent that reminded you of your awkward years.
Rosine for Le Snob Red, €180 at Le Snob
For easy, breezy Cote de Azur chic, you can take a little slice of Southern France home with this brand's swimsuits, sun-friendly sandals and extremely breathable cotton eyelet dresses.
Designed in collaboration with French swimwear brand Ysé, this sexy keyhole swimsuit is set to make eyes bulge. Wrapping across your bust, waist and bum, the textured fabric contours and shapes every curve. Raise temperatures and turn up the tension when you wear this at your favourite beach club.
Sézane x Ysé Couture Swimsuit, €95 at Sézane
Loose cotton eyelet doesn't scream sexy, but when you wear it in public, who knows if you can land a date! Thigh-grazing and easy to style, this dress has that effortless Jane Birkin vibe that you've been craving for. If you plan to wear this in more conservative settings, you can wear this with a button-down shirt, belt and long flared pants with pointy toe shoes.
Sézane Assia Dress, €130 at Sézane
Your wet market open toe sandals get a fashionable upgrade with matte suede terracotta calfskin leather. Fashioned in the vein of a mule, these sandals can take you anywhere from office to brunch. Make it pop with a dark coloured pedicure.
Sézane Low Agatha Mules, €150 at Sézane
Your #wcw Jeanne Damas released a clothing line. If you can't wait to get your hands on it, lust after her playful graphic tees, jumpsuits and jeans.
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Your mum's straight cut jeans got a 2018 update with a fitted mid rise silhouette.In clean crisp white, you can pair this summer-friendly garment with a chiffon top, hoop earrings and espadrilles.
Rouje Sabina Jeans, US $130 at Rouje
Vintage-inspired graphic tees are a mainstay for Damas' line and you cannot click checkout on the cart without adding this disco-inspired design.
Rouje Louis T-Shirt, US $55 at Rouje
The '70s classic gets a countryside twist with buttons and a black and white floral print. Channel your inner Brigitte Bardot with a ponytail, gold necklace, straw bag, winged eyeliner, nude lipstick and sandals.
Rouje Sofia Jumpsuit, US$185 at Rouje
Identifying a contemporary French brand is as challenging as telling apart which Olsen twin is Mary-Kate or Ashley. For ba&sh, they are nothing like their contemporaries as most of their aesthetic is boho to a tee. Think Sienna Miller (circa 2005) meets Charlotte Gainsbourg.
Work all day and play all night with this super sleek satiny black blazer. Style it with a pair of matching black pants and white blouse for work, then switch it up with a bodycon dress for ladies' night. If you want to cop the classic French girl look, wear it with a jumpsuit and high-heeled sandals.
ba&sh Carina Jacket, €280 at ba&sh
Printed floral dresses are the Birkins of closet essentials. Flowy, easy to wear and floor-sweeping, this maxi dress can be styled with combat boots and a cap for a festival-friendly look. Also, style it with sneakers, a mini handbag and cat eye sunglasses. Built with side cutouts, you can get the long-awaited ventilation you desperately need.
ba&sh Blush Dress, €330 at ba&sh
On the days when you feel like freeing the nipple, go for a slightly modest, yet sexy take with this deep V backless jumper on cool summer nights. When the temps get cold, you can layer a turtleneck underneath.
ba&sh Dolina Jumper, €260.00 at ba&sh
African prints and sporty streetwear meld together to form a unique aesthetic that's unseen in France. Packed with rainbow colours, playful prints and laid-back silhouettes, this brand never fails to brighten your day.
Waking up with a headache and messy hair after having one too many cocktails is perfect excuse to dress down. Rather than wearing your sweatpants, why not you swap it for these super dressy floral pants? After all, you can fool your friends into thinking that you woke up flawless when you style it with a matching PJ top and loafers like the late Hugh Hefner.
Maison Chateau Rouge Pantalon Court in Hibiscus, €150 at Maison Chateau Rouge
Sick of wearing your pencil skirt? Liberate your legs with this fun, printed button-down flared skirt. Style it with a cropped button-down top for the weekdays and a sexy camisole during the weekends.
Maison Chateau Rouge Jupe Awa in Tchatchatcha Orange, €150 at Maison Chateau Rouge
Walking a fine line between a shirt and a dress, a tunic is mega versatile investment you never knew you needed for your wardrobe until now. Show off your legs for days or keep 'em covered with a pair of jeans.
Maison Chateau Rouge Tunique Sebidor in Disques Bleus, €160 at Maison Chateau Rouge
If you love Nike, but want a more sustainable eco-friendly substitute, you will fall in love with this French brand. Manufactured in Brazil, each pair is made with sustainable materials from plastic bottles to wild rubber from the Amazon Forest. Whilst most shoe brands would usually lean on to leather, you can (finally) get your hands on vegan-friendly synthetic cowhide.
Vibe out to the spirit of your inner child with these '90s inspired velcro sneakers. Thankfully, these nude and white sneakers match with everything. #blessed
Veja V-12 Velcro in Almond Pierre, €165 at Veja
These not-so-basic white sneakers are the epitome of chic. While they look like an expensive pair of kicks, these are a bargain!
Veja SDU BMesh in White Marsala, €99 at Veja
Not made for the lepidopterophobe, these silky butterfly printed shoes are nothing like your basic unwearable statement shoes. Designed with Paris' taxidermy boutique Deyrolle, it's inspired by the connection between butterflies and silk as the insect's cocoons create the material. Powered with Lyocell, you can have more chances to wear them out in public.
Veja x Deyrolle Esplar Silk in Butterly, €165 at Veja