Fleurs De Bagne - Vintage Inspired French Workwear and Military Garments

Fleurs de Bagne from Aix en Provence France, was founded in 2012 with a mission to make vintage inspired French Workwear and military menswear, made in France with premium fabrics, robust designs, heritage based fits, where every piece of clothing has a story to tell.

Steeped in history, Fleurs de Bagne derives its clothing from the stories of the underworld, the prison camps in Guinea, wars, love, prisons, the apache gangs of 1920’s Paris, the French foreign legion, and family military and work traditions. Literally meaning Flowers, this brand’s namesake comes from the famous inmate tattoos of Bagne Prison, France. Those who were stamped with the homemade tattoos would thus carry with them, ‘’Fleurs’’ on their bodies. The prison itself housed mostly gangsters, prostitutes, artists, and homosexuals, at a time when all such behavior was highly criminal. Thus these individuals were often downtrodden, cast from society, and abandoned either to these prisons or the French Foreign Legion. All of whom carried these tattoos and these stories the world over.

History and heritage are integral parts of the Fleurs de Bagne brand. Each item of clothing is painstakingly recreated based on a real historical piece. Within heritage clothing, the story is really the intriguing part, and what makes an item irresistible. These clothes represent something special, a history forgotten, an occupation, a struggle, a way of life, or the many processes used by militaries to make the perfect garment. For really, when you look at workwear or military inspired clothing, you find that the details all make sense in some way, the design is intentional and purposeful.

It is often these details that excite and amuse especially when you know the story behind them and can bring them to light. Fleurs de Bagne makes vintage inspired clothing on par with the best replicas from some of the most well-known brands in Japan, albeit in a completely unique style. With Fleurs de Bagne, you get that interesting French aspect of history, a twist, and a kind of attitude that is not found anywhere else. Furthermore, garment production is primarily 100% French, with some knit items made in Portugal. Fabrics used are almost exclusively European, or Japanese, sourcing the best in materials and production to make the finest vintage inspired garments on the market brought to fruition through a labor of love.

It is with this attitude and hardcore attention to detail that Fleurs de Bagne brings us the traditional French Workwear Chore Coat, or Bleu de Travail, a blue jacket dyed in Prussian Blue color and made of heavy, flame resistant French Moleskin fabric. The model is a classic French workwear jacket, Le Bourgeron Moleskine, which has raglan sleeves, three front pockets and internal pockets, loose fitting and done in different colors, which back in the day symbolized which profession someone had. The Le "Bourgeron" is also made in a stunning Japanese Sashiko variation, which is naturally indigo dyed and will fade beautifully over time.

The Submarine Pants, a Royal Navy inspired design with elastic waist, single pockets, corozo buttons, and offered in several fabric options. The submarine pants are a wide fitting, loose model perfect for combining with modern elements to create a unique and personal style, while paying homage to the history of militaria influence on clothing and function.

La Falot Jacket is a classic waxed jacket inspired by military officers coats of the 20’s and 30’s. The item became popular with farmers as an all purpose coat that protected against the rain and elements, and known to withstand the rough conditions of agrarian lifestyles.

Fleurs de Bagne Denim is also something to behold, the heavy used cargo denim jeans are wide loose fitting pants that are heavily distressed, with fatigue pockets. These jeans also work well for women.

Fleurs de Bagne knitwear is made with 100% wool. The Orlock sweater is a classic fishermans style aran sweater, with thick soft wool, it has an intricate knitting pattern, and made by a small family company in Portugal. More wool garments include the Commando Sweater which is the same military factory which has produced wool combat sweaters for the French special forces for 100 years. The L'Enfant Du Malheur which is a super heavy knitted wool cardigan jacket. The Le Bonnet Fleurs de Bagne beanies are inspired by the prisoners who were forced to test early diving bells. Jaques Cousteau paid homage to them, adopting the same knitted wool beanie these prisoners were forced to wear when testing this early diving equipment, which many died while doing. The oceanographer became world famous, and images of him in a small fitting red beanie are known all over the world.

Fleurs de Bagne Hawaiian Shirts are the perfect 1930’s replicas, with ultralight japanese rayon fabric, and made i nFrance, they offer a wide boxy fit, flowing designs and beautiful prints, complete with coconut buttons for that perfect aloha feeling.