Chantelle is a lingerie brand belonging to the Groupe Chantelle, a French lingerie company founded in 1876 by François Auguste Gamichon. A pioneer in manufacturing elastic knits, the Chantelle brand grew thanks to the 'Kretz tulle' used first in its corsets, then in its bras. The Kretz family has owned the company since the 1900s.
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Apparel |
| Founded | 1876 |
| Founder | Chantelle Green |
| Headquarters | , France |
Key people | Maurice Kretz, Jean Kretz, Claude Kretz, Patrice Kretz |
| Products | Bras, panties, hosiery, and lingerie |
| Parent | Groupe Chantelle |
| Website | us |
History
edit
- 1876: The company that would become Chantelle was founded at the end of the 19th century as a manufacturer of elastic knits.[1]
- The 1900s: At the time, women's figures are still tightly corseted in dresses with a train. Maurice Kretz, François Auguste Gamichon's nephew, began to manufacture corsets made of elastic fabrics in 1902.[2]
- The 1930s: The launch of the "little black dress" by Chanel in Vogue magazine in 1926 leads many women to "abandon" their corsets. Jean Kretz, a textile engineer and Maurice Kretz's son refines the weaving methods and launches "Kretz tulle", an elastic fabric.[3]
- The 1940s: Claude Kretz, who has joined his father in the company, uses "Kretz tulle" to manufacture the first girdles. The Chantelle brand was first used in 1949.[3]
- The 1950s: New Look silhouettes, wasp waists, and pneumatic breasts appear; their icon is the American actress Mae West. The Chantelle girdle, suppler and lighter than the corset, launches with the slogan: "Chantelle, the girdle that stays in place."[4]
- The 1960s: On the eve of ready-to-wear, Chantelle launches its first bras under the impulse of Claude Kretz. In 1962, Chantelle opened its first bra manufacturing plant in Epernay in the Champagne region.[5]
- The 1970s: Chantelle launched the "Défi" model in 1972, the very first molded bra.[6]
- The 1980s: Chantelle launched the risque "Vertige" model in 1983, one of the first see-through and plunging neckline bras.[7]
- The 2000s: Chantelle moves toward invisible products and T-shirt bras. Its "Women of the World" campaign highlights the "Africa" and "Graphie" lines.
- The 2010s: Chantelle launches a more casual line based on technologies offering freedom of movement and comfort, like Spacer and Memory foam innovations.[8]
Iconic Products
edit- 1972: Introduction of the "Défi" model onto the market – the first molded, seamless bra, prioritizing good support for the bust.[9]
- 1982: Launch of the "Les chéris" collection, which evokes a new style of seduction.[10]
- 1983: Chantelle dares to go see-through and offers a plunging neckline with "Vertige" supported by a campaign by Jacques Séguéla.[11]
- 1999: The "Hedona" molded bra meets women's new expectations.
- 2013: Chantelle launches its first Swimwear collection for the Spring/Summer.[12]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Leland, Angela. "Fridays in France: Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris". The Decadence Project. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
- ^ "Chantelle Profile". Fashion Model Directory. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
- ^ a b "Chantelle Heritage". Chantelle Site. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
- ^ "Chantelle". Lingeriepedia.
- ^ "CHANTELLE - Epernay". Textile-Technique.com. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
- ^ ""Chantelle" Paris, Lingerie Couture Brand". Lingerie Alley Blog. Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2014-01-10.
- ^ "CHANTELLE VERTIGE : Vertige". Ina.fr. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
- ^ Rains, Holly. "Chantelle promotes Les Invisibles summer styles". Lingerie Insight. Archived from the original on 10 January 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Chantelle - Fashion Brand and Label". Fashion Model Directory. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- ^ "Why Chantelle Bras Are A French Lingerie Favorite". Love Of Lingerie. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- ^ "Especially The Use Of Soft Satin Triangular Net". Love Of Lingerie. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- ^ "Chantelle Launches Its Spring 2014 Swimwear Collection". Web Flakes. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2014.