
Look up “je ne sais quoi” in the Dictionary of Fashion and you might find the name Cacharel. A design house hailing from Paris circa 1962 that has built a reputation solely on “that certain something” that only French woman exude (walking through the grimy metro tunnels wrapped in scarves the way only a Parisian can wrap/tie/knot a scarf).
Call it what you will; “chic” or ‘au courant” – the French have understood these terms for centuries and have championed its advocates through thick and thin.
But few true French design houses have been as loyal to this vision of fashion as Cacharel. In this global economy and mix and swapping of creative ideals as well as the sale of most small design houses to the likes of LVMH and Gucci Group, amongst others, the true meaning of French style has become muddled. This is a fate that Cacharel has thankfully avoided. Privately owned and operated and beloved by proponents of “chic” worldwide, Cacharel has been able to retain that certain something ingredient missing from a lot of fashion these days.
And luckily you don’t have to be French to love their elegant creations. Over the years they have built up a worldwide fan base longing for their “just the thing!” clothing. In my mind it is no coincidence that Paris is still the center of the universe when it comes to style – and Cacharel at the center of style when you are in Paris – or anywhere else for that matter.