Longchamp,
with him. And we (the children) would help make cigarette cases or passport cases. I had a small gilding machine that I would use to mark “Longchamp” in gold leaf. When I turned 15, I got a Vespa so I could deliver on the Boulevard Haussmann, home to many luxury hotels: the Commodore, the Ambassador, the Cabarets, the Crillon... I delivered the orders of smokers’ goods and orders to be displayed in storefronts. Tourists loved our collections! Jean-François and Dominique, my two brothers, joined in too: they did supplementary deliveries that I could not take charge of. We were four children and all of us grow up working for the family company. We were trained from an early age to run Longchamp. I was the eldest of my siblings, and since my brothers and sister had other professional plans, it was for me obvious to continue to run the business. I didn’t even consider any other career, Longchamp chose me and I chose Longchamp!
4. What ideas and insights were going through your mind when you first designed the Le Pliage in 1993?
During a trip to the US, I took with me a prototype for a collapsible travel bag. The result of my experimentation was the “Xtra bag,” which was made of a single piece of fabric. The fabric I selected was nylon, a strong yet light material that nobody had previously used for bags; it was light and resistant. In 1993, we reworked the idea to create Le Pliage. More playful and modern, Le Pliage shook up convention with its unique design and color palette introduced from the very first collection. Upon its arrival in stores, it was an instant success! Its trapezoidal structure, zip closure, two ears, two handles and flap teamed up with original new colors each season, and as always trimmed with “Russian Leather,” was a recipe for success. I think a brand needs to constantly reinvent itself and its products, that is why we change colors each season. All while keeping the same values!
5. Is the company that celebrated 70 years still the same company that your father founded in 1948?
We have grown tremendously since 1948. Today, my father’s vision of a global enterprise with high quality offerings and wide product ranges continues to guide and inspire us on this adventure. This has been accomplished with the continuous engagement and tenacity of all our teams, across the world. It has been a remarkable journey and I am proud that Longchamp is nowadays a luxury French family brand with the same core values. I’m happy to have raised my children within the firm and to have given them the desire to continue on this journey ....
In 2018, we celebrated 70 years of Longchamp; 1948 marks the year Jean Cassegrain imparted his unique vision of French elegance and rewrote the rules of modern luxury under the Longchamp brand. A leather pipe maker channeling his craftsmanship into travel accessories, handbags and lifestyle fashion, the Longchamp brand now extends across the globe. His founding entrepreneurial spirit, penchant for excellence and romance with French art-de-vivre spur our adventure in innovative craftsmanship, creativity and unite us as we continue the Longchamp story.