Last week, agnès b. unveiled its collaboration with Paraboot. The agnès b. offer director and the shoemaker's brand manager tell us more.
Benoit Daveau, agnès b.'s offer director, and Davy Montillet, Paraboot's Brand Engagement & Sales Manager, talk about the genesis of this exceptional collaboration around a pair of Imbattable shoes that was revealed last week.
Benoît, what inspires you about Paraboot?
Benoît. When I think of Paraboot, I think of French know-how, love of the product and beautiful leather qualities. Paraboot shoes have stood the test of time, adapting to all fashions. For me, there are few brands that can be worn by grandparents, parents and children, each in their own style, with different sliders. When you wear Paraboot, you feel like you're part of a club of connoisseurs.
Davy, what inspires you about agnès b.?
Davy. What inspires me most about the house is the timeless fashion and minimalism of this iconic French brand. It's a brand and a universe that crosses eras and styles, always with the same vision.
Can you tell us how this collaboration came about?
D. The collaboration was born out of a meeting with Benoît at a Paraboot event in a concept store near the Rue Dieu headquarters in Paris. Initially, our discussions revolved mainly around art culture, gallery boutiques around the world and how Agnès supports artistic creation in all its forms, notably through La Fab.
B. Meeting Davy was the turning point. Immediately afterwards, we organized a meeting at our premises on rue Dieu, on the 6th floor opposite Agnès's office. Davy talks to us about Paraboot, his vision of this iconic house that knows how to juggle heritage and coolness. Then we chat about agnès b., its artistic commitments, its gallery boutiques and especially the Howard Street boutique in NYC.
D. The first stylistic inspirations, models and patterns quickly arrived on the showroom table... A few weeks later, a first visit to our factory and its workshops at the foot of the Chartreuse.
B. We share the same values, the same vision of fashion, and the collaboration was born. Our aim in joining forces is to showcase the cultural and artistic richness of our two houses.
How did you choose the model(s) and their details?
B. It was obvious, almost too easy (laughs). Talking about the first agnès b. boutique opened in 1976 on rue du Jour, in the heart of the Halles district of Paris, the Paraboot team tells us the story of the Imbattable! This shoe was worn by local professionals. High, protective and sturdy, it reflects Agnès's approach to clothing: you have to be able to wear them for a long time without them going out of fashion.
D. We chose l'Imbattable firstly because of its strong link with the Halles district. Secondly, for the strong stylistic character of this rock-ish, non-genre pair, which incorporates elements of Paraboot's DNA: French manufacturing, premium leather, Norwegian stitching and a natural rubber sole.
B. This shoe seduced us with its style and timelessness. During the shoot, we were able to easily combine it with different looks for both men and women.
Benoît, what was it like to work with a French brand that specializes in its field, and to see the Paraboot workshop at work?
B. When you work in fashion, you're usually passionate, and when passionate people meet passionate people, it's a real pleasure. It's incredible to discover Paraboot's industrial facilities, to meet the teams who tell you about their work with pride and stars in their eyes. Everything takes shape before our very eyes, and we become aware of all the stages involved in producing a shoe, and the skills that must be mastered. And all this in an incredible location at the foot of the mountains.
Davy, what did you have in common with this brand with the strong dna of agnès b.?
D. My answer is going to be very personal: the very particular trajectory of this iconic French house, with its strong appetite and sensitivity for art, culture and music... And of course, our shared values of creation and French savoir-faire, which represent the history of our two houses.
Discover the collaboration here.
