CAULAINCOURT has been building its reputation around dress shoes since 2008. Committed to its uniqueness, the French brand highlights the expertise and aesthetics of men’s shoes by offering collections with a wide range of styles and uses.
This collaboration was initiated within the CAULAINCOURT “Bandit” label, its more experimental division, on the USAAF jacket by Maison CHAPAL in brown glossy sheepskin leather and gold silky sheep fur collar.
This luxury Maison is run by Jean-François Bardinon, the 8th generation of one of the few French brands to have remained in the family since 1832. At CHAPAL, everything is still tanned and manufactured in the hometown workshops.
The origins of the jacket worn by US Air Force aviators during World War II are fully acknowledged as a reference in this collaboration.
The creative additions are reminiscent of the illustrations of American squadrons painted on flying machines and GI jackets. Later, in the 50s, each biker gang also wore its “colours” embroidered at the back. A ritual dating back to the creation of “Hell’s Angels”, whose identifying mark was winged skull and crossbones with a biker’s helmet, topped with the name of the town or local section.
Russian artist Yann Avril lent his pen to transcribe Alexis Lafont’s inspiration by creating the designs, which were embroidered in gold thread.
On the left breast, a leather patch reminds the aviators’ “name plate” to feature the pilot’s name with four bees as CAULAINCOURT logo. They suggest trophies of the victorious US Air Force aviators.
At the back is an embroidery depicting a pin-up sitting on a bomb. This playmate is also featured on a padded cotton gabardine lining, screen-printed in orange ink.
These designs are military additions chosen by CAULAINCOURT, whose name comes from the founder’s grandfather, a Marshal of the Empire and Grand Esquire in Napoleon’s army.
This is followed by the typical patina of the shoemaker, which is applied to the entire jacket by hand using a cloth. The brush is used only to reach inaccessible areas such as the seams. Patina is applied using liquid inks specially developed for leather. The iteration of the layers, coloring and bleaching, gives a natural effect. Each dye is the result of a very specific mixture, making each piece unique.
ABOUT CAULAINCOURT:
CAULAINCOURT is a culture of aesthetics. The shapes of the shoes, boots and sneakers are refined, the design is sophisticated and each detail is important. The Maison celebrates the intricacies of craftsmanship, creating sleek, original designs that complement any outfit.
Products are made in France, England, Italy and Spain. The company’s aim is to “find the best hands”, and each workshop selected is an expert in its field.
Considered to be the new guard of French shoes, CAULAINCOURT has three boutiques in Paris, one in Dubai, international branches and an e-shop.
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