For over a century, fashion has seen the rise of the striped sailor tee, in particular Saint James - The oldest striped tee brand in the world. The village of Saint James, with its roots in knitting and textiles dates back to the 1100s where the wool from the region was ideal for making garments used to keep local sailors and fishermen warm. Carrying on a thousand year-old tradition in textiles, the story of Saint James began around 1850 in the city that gave its name to the brand.
In 1858, following an official decree, their combed cotton jersey and sweaters were officially adopted as part of the French naval uniform as the stripes were easy to spot should a crew member fall overboard. Fast forward to 1913 and thanks to Coco Chanel, the striped marinière, as we know it today catapulted into popular fashion, both transforming it into a stylish investment piece for seaside holidays and liberating the female form from the period’s sartorial constraints. The rest of the 20th century and the early 2000s saw the democratization of the marinière, adopted by intellectuals, artists and sailing aficionados including Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot, John Wayne, and, famously, Jean-Paul Gaultier who elevated the stripes into eveningwear.
The brand’s owes its longevity to its DNA of function and durability as they continue to supply sailor smocks and sweaters to the French navy and army and emphasize the same virtues of quality and performance for their consumer collections. It only helped to shore up their legacy in craftsmanship when it was awarded EPV (Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant) status by the French State, a national recognition granted to only 43 Haute-Couture and Ready-to-Wear heritage brands for traditional skills. This was in large part for the « raccoutrage » (mending) phase of their production during which impurities are removed and any flaws are mended – a skill-set that requires two years of training and that only ten people (all women) possess today.
Join us and Thibault this Thursday 20th Feb from 5.30-8pm and get yourself acquainted with the rich heritage and history behind the iconic brand. Be the first to see the newest styles from the upcoming season as well their signature collection. If you haven’t yet experienced the splendour of striped chic, now is the time. Attendance is free, but registration is required. Book your ticket today
