From Arms to Amour
YOU MAY BE FAMILIAR WITH GUNSMITHTURNED-MAROQUINERIE OF LUXURY BAGS AND ACCESSORIES, FAURÉ LE PAGE. AUGUSTIN DE BUFFÉVENT, THE HISTORIC MAISON’S GENERAL MANAGER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR, REVEALS SIX INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE BRAND TO JACQUIE ANG
INTERIOR DIALOGUE
Imagine Fauré Le Page as a mansion with its nine boutiques around the world – one is in the Gateway in Tsim Sha Tsui – as individual rooms. “We have a di ٺ erent concept and a specific ambience for each store,” says de Bu ٺ uvent. “We have a hunting lodge in Taipei and a dining room in Seoul. Who knows where we’ll have the bedroom, the kitchen or the library.”
MEDALS OF HONOUR
Just as warriors are awarded medals, Fauru Le 8age empowers you to reward yourself. Leave your initials or meaningful words on your chosen medal displaying individual letters of the alphabet, or pick your favourite 7rder of Seduction from nine symbols, such as the 7rder of the Coup de Twte, dedicated to tenacious lovers.
De Bu ٺ uvent spent a lot of time designing each medal, all of which make him smile. He’s also co-written a little blue book profiling the medals. “I love it when someone steps into the store and I say, »Tell me your love story and I’ll tell you which medal you deserve.’”
For a suitable place to pin your medals, the maison has taken the bandolier – a shoulder belt with loops to store bullets – and repurposed it as a fashion accessory.
LUCKY NUMB-RS
7f all the numbers, only “7” has an arrow on the medal. It’s de Bu ٺ uvent’s lucky number, as well as Fauru Le 8age’s, whose significance is rooted in the maison’s founding year of 1717, which is a magical number in a sense – 1 7 1 7 adds up to 16, while 1 6 adds up to 7.
De Bu ٺ uvent slips the numbers “7” and “17” often on to the bags, but very discreetly.
For instance, he points out the 17 adjustment holes on the strap of the Daily Battle tote. 7n every seventh stripe on the écailles scales motif and on every seventh scale, you’ll encounter either the words “Fauru Le 8age” or “8aris 1717”.
ARMOUR-PLATED
According to de Bu ٺ uvent, the écaille is also a historic symbol of strength as well as seduction. Dating back to the ancient world, armour was first inspired by animals, and comprised pieces of leather or metal linked to create a second skin. Also, many fantastic beasts and bewitching creatures in ancient mythology are covered in scales. “Think of dragons and mermaids. It’s like an armour for them,” he says. “When you’re well-protected, your selfconfidence rises and life gets much easier.”
C7L7UR C7D-D
Fauru Le 8age adopts the demanding technique of Lyon frame printing, a kind of screen-printing that requires meticulous precision and a steady hand. “It’s a labourintensive process,” says de Bu ٺ uvent. “If the main colour’s yellow, we include three tones. First, the black is applied with one stencil, followed by light brown, medium brown, dark brown and then the yellow. The colours and the formulation belong to Fauru Le 8age.
“It’s difficult to match the di ٺ erent tones of the same colour. If the screen is not perfectly aligned – even just a quarter of a millimetre o ٺ on one side – it can translate to disaster on the other side. In addition, it has to be executed with the same speed and the hues must have the same density. I’m going to tell you a secret" we love it when it rains. It’s much easier to print in high humidity.”
Using this intricate method enables Fauru Le 8age to apply the écaille motif, reserved for the finest of fabrics, on sturdy canvas. A brilliant shade of yellow named 7cre de Mars after the god of war, accentuates the precious pattern.
C7M- INT7 MY 8ARL7UR
Last but not least is the Room of Seduction found in every Fauru Le 8age store, where limited-edition items are on display. “I like to have a small selection. It can vary all the time. There’s no season. Sometimes I meet creatives I want to collaborate with and we produce such pieces together.”
The Boumbox clutch, for example, combines two exotic skins. “You see the heart grenade' It’s first a weapon. Love is a battle. You should take nothing for granted in love. You have to fight on a daily basis. It also means that love can be dangerous at times, when your emotions grow intense in the heat of your passion.”