Latest news with #LucLesénécal
New York Times
03-07-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Why 50,000 Iconic French Shirts, Intended for America, Sit in Storage
As fabric spooled out of a bank of knitting machines in a flare of blue-and-white stripes, workers at the Saint James clothing factory in France's Normandy region stacked them into piles and cut along patterns to make the company's iconic Breton sailor's shirt, worn by celebrities and adored by fans worldwide. Luc Lesénécal, the company's chief executive, surveyed an enormous workroom splashed with a rainbow of yarns. Seamstresses had recently put the finishing touches on 50,000 striped shirts and sweaters to fill orders for American stores like Nordstrom and J. Crew. But his plans to ship for the fall retail season have been thwarted by President Trump's up-and-down tariff threats. Instead of loading the merchandise into cargo planes, Mr. Lesénécal has parked his entire U.S. export in the company's warehouse, where it will sit until Wednesday, the deadline Mr. Trump has set for Europe to come up with a deal or face tariffs of up to 50 percent. 'This is yo-yo politics we've been dealing with,' Mr. Lesénécal said, gesturing around a factory the size of three football fields, where 300 longtime employees turn out 1.5 million shirts, sweaters, scarves and coats a year. 'If we don't have visibility, we can't move forward.' He is not alone. European industry has been whipsawed since Mr. Trump announced a barrage of trade actions aimed at rewiring the global economy. America's imposition of 10 percent tariffs on most goods from the European Union, and scattershot threats to push the rates to 20 or 50 percent, has led companies to freeze projects, seek exemptions and prepare to raise prices. Image Luc Lesénécal, the chief executive of Saint James, says his business with the United States has been upended by President Trump's tariffs. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. Already a subscriber? Log in. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Business Mayor
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
Saint James Opens Manhattan Pop-Up, Making Its Stateside Retail Debut
The Saint James for Printemps pop-up Photo by Charles Roussel courtesy of Saint James Whether it was Coco Chanel co-opting the striped 'mariner' pullover named for the French fisherman who sported them or Jean Seberg's penchant for wearing them in the 1960 film, these classic tops are synonymous with French style. According to Printemps CEO Jean-Marc Bellaiche, the newly opened New York outpost of the famous Parisian department store is on a mission to bring hard-to-find French brands to the US to be featured in its revolving main floor pop-up space. After debuting with Jacquemus and Coperni X Disney, the latest Gallic brand to debut is Saint James, which opened its first US retail space just in time for New York's famous fleet week. Luc Lesénécal, Thierry Prévost, Benjamin Auzimour Photo by Charles Roussel courtesy of Saint James To kick off the event, Luc Lesénécal, CEO of Saint James, Benjamin Auzimour, Managing Director of Saint James North America, and Thierry Prévost, CEO of Printemps America, hosted an intimate cocktail for press and VIPs for a sneak peek at the offerings. 'I'm thrilled to celebrate the opening of the Saint James pop-up shop at Printemps New York,' said Auzimour in a release. 'Both Saint James and Printemps share an authentic connection to French culture, making this pop-up a natural fit. With our shared French heritage, Printemps is the perfect location to showcase our summer collection and introduce Saint James' timeless apparel to a new audience in New York City.' The Saint James pop-up at Printemps NY Photo by Charles Roussel courtesy of Saint James The store channels Parisian apartment chic inside the Art Deco landmark at One Wall Street. As guests enter through a sculptural glass entrance on Broadway, which flows into the vibrant Playroom — a striking space anchored by multicolored marble, they are immediately welcomed to the exclusive Saint James pop-up. The installation captures Saint James' coastal French heritage with a fresh, timeless feel. Clean lines, crisp nautical details, and deep navy carpeting set the tone. A bold white stripe traces the ceiling's curve, morphing into an undulating shelf that mirrors the building's architecture. The navy, white, and subtle red palette nods to the seaside and seamlessly blends into Printemps' signature French elegance. It perfectly recollects the brand's origins, dating to 1899 in Normandy, boasting places like Deauville that captured Chanel's heart. The designer was famously inspired by the wool knit jersey tunic tops worn by the fishermen there. The immersive space is meant to evoke a breezy, coastal retreat in the midst of the Financial District. The American customers can peruse Saint James' iconic wardrobe essentials for the whole family with selections men, women, kids, even dogs plus unisex styles. Signature Breton stripes and nautical classics sit alongside the Summer 2025 collection featuring sun-washed hues, timeless silhouettes, and the brand's traditional Mer blue — an homage to the South of France. An exclusive offering includes a collaboration with Korean artist Maria (Taehyoung) Jeon who embroidered delicate florals onto the Minquiers Moderne long-sleeve Breton tees adding an artistic edge to the classic style. The Saint James pop-up at Printemps New York (One Wall Street, NYC) is open to the public for a limited one-month run, offering an introduction to the renowned Normandy craftsmanship with no passport required.
Forbes
25-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Saint James Opens Manhattan Pop-Up, Making Its Stateside Retail Debut
The Saint James for Printemps pop-up Photo by Charles Roussel courtesy of Saint James Whether it was Coco Chanel co-opting the striped "mariner" pullover named for the French fisherman who sported them or Jean Seberg's penchant for wearing them in the 1960 film, these classic tops are synonymous with French style. According to Printemps CEO Jean-Marc Bellaiche, the newly opened New York outpost of the famous Parisian department store is on a mission to bring hard-to-find French brands to the US to be featured in its revolving main floor pop-up space. After debuting with Jacquemus and Coperni X Disney, the latest Gallic brand to debut is Saint James, which opened its first US retail space just in time for New York's famous fleet week. Luc Lesénécal, Thierry Prévost, Benjamin Auzimour Photo by Charles Roussel courtesy of Saint James To kick off the event, Luc Lesénécal, CEO of Saint James, Benjamin Auzimour, Managing Director of Saint James North America, and Thierry Prévost, CEO of Printemps America, hosted an intimate cocktail for press and VIPs for a sneak peek at the offerings. "I'm thrilled to celebrate the opening of the Saint James pop-up shop at Printemps New York," said Auzimour in a release. "Both Saint James and Printemps share an authentic connection to French culture, making this pop-up a natural fit. With our shared French heritage, Printemps is the perfect location to showcase our summer collection and introduce Saint James' timeless apparel to a new audience in New York City." The Saint James pop-up at Printemps NY Photo by Charles Roussel courtesy of Saint James The store channels Parisian apartment chic inside the Art Deco landmark at One Wall Street. As guests enter through a sculptural glass entrance on Broadway, which flows into the vibrant Playroom — a striking space anchored by multicolored marble, they are immediately welcomed to the exclusive Saint James pop-up. The installation captures Saint James' coastal French heritage with a fresh, timeless feel. Clean lines, crisp nautical details, and deep navy carpeting set the tone. A bold white stripe traces the ceiling's curve, morphing into an undulating shelf that mirrors the building's architecture. The navy, white, and subtle red palette nods to the seaside and seamlessly blends into Printemps' signature French elegance. It perfectly recollects the brand's origins, dating to 1899 in Normandy, boasting places like Deauville that captured Chanel's heart. The designer was famously inspired by the wool knit jersey tunic tops worn by the fishermen there. The immersive space is meant to evoke a breezy, coastal retreat in the midst of the Financial District. The American customers can peruse Saint James' iconic wardrobe essentials for the whole family with selections men, women, kids, even dogs plus unisex styles. Signature Breton stripes and nautical classics sit alongside the Summer 2025 collection featuring sun-washed hues, timeless silhouettes, and the brand's traditional Mer blue — an homage to the South of France. An exclusive offering includes a collaboration with Korean artist Maria (Taehyoung) Jeon who embroidered delicate florals onto the Minquiers Moderne long-sleeve Breton tees adding an artistic edge to the classic style. The Saint James pop-up at Printemps New York (One Wall Street, NYC) is open to the public for a limited one-month run, offering an introduction to the renowned Normandy craftsmanship with no passport required.
Fashion Network
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
Lilly Pulitzer launches first international collaboration with French heritage brand Saint James
Lilly Pulitzer has launched its first-ever international collaboration with French heritage label Saint James, introducing a limited-edition capsule collection. Inspired by the French Riviera and Palm Beach, the 10-piece collection, crafted in France by Saint James, merges Saint James' iconic Breton stripes with Lilly Pulitzer's signature prints. Notably, the collection is characterized by two exclusive colorways, Azure and Rose Soleil. "This collaboration marks an exciting moment for Lilly as we go abroad for the first time, bringing together the best of French coastal casual glamour complemented by Lilly's vibrant prints. The collection reimagines nautical style with a fresh, Lilly whimsy, delivering striking pieces that are both timeless and unapologetically bold. It's a celebration of the unmistakable spirit of both brands," said Mira Fain, chief creative officer at Lilly Pulitzer. Each item bears a subtle dual-branded signature and is made to transition seamlessly through any travel adventure. The capsule collection is now available online, at select Saint James boutiques worldwide, and Lilly Pulitzer retail stores across the U.S. Prices range from $129 to $289. "We are thrilled to announce our exciting partnership with the renowned American resort-wear brand Lilly Pulitzer. This unique and colorful collection celebrates the mystique of the French Riviera, blending Lilly's iconic hand-painted prints with our signature French coastal style," added Saint James CEO Luc Lesénécal.
Fashion Network
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
Lilly Pulitzer launches first international collaboration with French heritage brand Saint James
Lilly Pulitzer has launched its first-ever international collaboration with French heritage label Saint James, introducing a limited-edition capsule collection. Inspired by the French Riviera and Palm Beach, the 10-piece collection, crafted in France by Saint James, merges Saint James' iconic Breton stripes with Lilly Pulitzer's signature prints. Notably, the collection is characterized by two exclusive colorways, Azure and Rose Soleil. "This collaboration marks an exciting moment for Lilly as we go abroad for the first time, bringing together the best of French coastal casual glamour complemented by Lilly's vibrant prints. The collection reimagines nautical style with a fresh, Lilly whimsy, delivering striking pieces that are both timeless and unapologetically bold. It's a celebration of the unmistakable spirit of both brands," said Mira Fain, chief creative officer at Lilly Pulitzer. Each item bears a subtle dual-branded signature and is made to transition seamlessly through any travel adventure. The capsule collection is now available online, at select Saint James boutiques worldwide, and Lilly Pulitzer retail stores across the U.S. Prices range from $129 to $289. "We are thrilled to announce our exciting partnership with the renowned American resort-wear brand Lilly Pulitzer. This unique and colorful collection celebrates the mystique of the French Riviera, blending Lilly's iconic hand-painted prints with our signature French coastal style," added Saint James CEO Luc Lesénécal.
