Au Départ, a Parisian house with a history on par with the likes of Louis Vuitton, Goyard, and Moynat, has all eyes on its latest collection, and celebrities such as 2NE1’s CL, Fan Bing Bing and Charmaine Sheh have already caught on. 

Au Départ’s opulent heritage marks it as a cultural luxury statement, which, at its height, was renowned as being one of four greatest French trunk makers. From being well loved by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of The Little Prince and frequent customer of the house who owned several bespoke pieces, to opening its first major flagship in 1874 at l’Opéra, Paris, the pinnacle of culture at the time where only the most luxurious brands gathered, Au Départ was a household name that earned its place amongst the revered for its exceptional craftsmanship and distinct clientele. 

In 1928, the house was chosen out of hundreds of others to be featured in the very prestigious Pan-Annuaire de Luxe à Paris under the direction of the “King of Fashion” Paul Poiret — a widely recognised designer for his daring creations that broke free of contemporary beauty standards — and an advertising feature designed by French artist Yann-Benard Dyl, marking Au Départ as the epitome of culture and luxury. 

Today, with its all new brand colour — a soft lavender that conjures scenes of delicate romance and poetry — Au Départ draws from its roots to plant itself firmly in the present. Taking inspiration from its history, the house celebrates its latest chapter with a new boutique at 20 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.

A space created with the intention to become a gathering spot for all art and culture conversations, Au Départ has plans to host art exhibitions and cultural happenings sometime in the near future, fully utilising its strategic location that places it adjacent to French cultural centres and foreshadowing its plans to once again take the helm as a cultural maker of luxury. 

See the latest from Au Départ and upcoming cultural happenings.