Saint James
Established in the 11th century at a cable’s length from the Mont Saint-Michel, discover the history of Saint-James, a village in Normandy and its eponymous brand.
In the 19th century, the Breton Fisherman Sweater was designed to protect fishermen from the elements during long days and nights at sea. It became the trademark apparel of the garlic merchants, or marchands d’ail, of Brittany. As they braved the English Channel to sell their goods to the United Kingdom, the marchands d’ail were never without their iconic sweaters, which soon earned the nickname of chandail, a shortened version of the merchants’ name. At the helm of the sweater’s creation were the wives of the merchants and fishermen of Brittany. Applying a secret-stitch technique preserved by generations of mothers and daughters, their pullovers surpassed all others, granting warmth and resistance to water and wind.
It was in Saint-James, a town in Normandy established by William the Conqueror in the 11th century and renowned for its extensive weaving and draping traditions, where the women acquired their yarns. In Saint-James, circa 1850, the Legallais family’s spinning plant, Les Filatures de Saint-James, began producing the yarn for the fisherman sweater, fostering its popularity and transforming this regional expertise into a successful industry. To this day, the Saint James atelier and factory is still located in the small village of Saint James, (population: 3000) about 20 kilometers from Mont-Saint-Michel.
Saint-James has remained true to its hallmark for over 150 years, producing the highest quality nautical-inspired silhouettes. To this date, Saint James still purveys the French Navy and the French Army (La Marine française et l’Armée de Terre) with their official uniform sweaters
Saint James is the maker of the authentic nautical Breton shirt in combed cotton jersey that has been part of the official French naval uniform since 1871. According to an old lore from Brittany, the 21 stripes each correspond to a naval victory of Napoleon’s French fleet against the British.
Saint James is also renowned for the side-buttoned Breton Fisherman Sweater that has been traditionally worn by Breton fishermen since the 19th century. Close-knit quality and double-twist wool meant to protect against sudden gusts of wind and be sturdy enough to withstand strenuous work at sea. It is considered the seafarer’s second skin. In France, Saint James is to stripes and all things nautical the absolute reference.
Spring Summer 2024
Pastel Club
“Pastel Club” embodies the chic and bohemian atmosphere of a beach club. It’s a moment of escape, of calm, of lightness, a world of carefreeness that mirrors pastel hues. It’s the beach with its vintage accessories, its patterned deck chairs, its fringed parasols, its coolers in «ice-cream» colors. We’re here to have fun with everything and nothing. We amuse ourselves in a quirky way and we certainly don’t take ourselves too seriously. The images are sunny, with colours of an innocent summer and timeless charm.
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Cap Indigo
The beauty of classic sailboats lies in their elegance, their history, and their heritage; they are appreciated for their charm, their style, and their timeless quality; they represent both a reliable value, a lifestyle, know-how, and unique materials. The linen sails are hoisted by hemp ropes. Materials that can be found in the brand’s icons. A classic racing sailboat is a lifestyle, which reflects a way of life, a sense of aesthetics, and a certain sartorial elegance.
