During our peak Paris years, Nichole and I would laugh about the difference between the real Paris and what we called “oooh-la-la Paris.” That place is a puff pastry fantasy. It exists only in the bubble-gum sweet world of coiffed French poodles, striped shirts, neck scarves, Chanel sunglasses, and an Eiffel Tower around every single corner. It’s not that on their own any of those things aren’t great, it’s the reliable distillation that was hysterical.
At some point along the way, it became sufficient for brands to put some French words in a nice Didone font and slap it on just about anything. Instant Vogue. Instant Chic. Instant Oh la la! What does it say? Who cares! Just put some French on it!
In response to the trend, and a nod to some fun Gen X-style snark, we created the “Better in French” collection. Our briliant and talented Parisian friend Lindsey Tramuta helped us to translate these subversive little phrases, et voilà! Better in French the t-shirt! Better in French the mug! Better in French the flamethrower! Ok, fine… maybe flamethrowers some day.