Rémi de Laquintane and Mathieu de Ménonville are lifelong friends. In 2009, while philosophy students, they decided to collaborate on a creative and entrepreneurial project that they baptized with a sulfurous and feminine name whose sound evoked their travels. They imagined Melindagloss as a maison de création centered around their passions: fashion, culture and art-de-vivre.
“We wished to rejuvenate masculine fashion, adding a touch of devil-may-care nonchalance to a classic figure while affirming graphic choices and narratives, inspired by our environment, Parisian life, literature, cinema and travels” said Rémi de Laquintane who is in charge of the design studio. “Each piece corresponds to a desire, a function, a particular time in life, from the most extraordinary to the most banal. For me, each collection is like a narrative.”
They decided to produce their clothing in the best ateliers in France, Italy and Portugal all the while focusing on the idea of accessible products. “A beautiful piece is one that is appropriate and ages well. To achieve this we have always attached great importance to the choice of materials and the production process.” (R de L) In 2009 they opened the doors of their apartment, rue du Bouloi, next to the Palais Royal and transformed their living room into an “apartment store” where they received their clients. “It was a way for us to receive our first clients in an intimate and personal style. In the evenings we often finished the day with certain clients around a comforting glass of Cognac.”
As the brand gained cultural currency, Melindagloss opened the first boutique in the Marais the following year and two years later opened a second store, 9 rue Madame in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Parisian literary neighborhood that seemed an ideal setting for Melindagloss’ fashions for the thinking man. In addition to their collections, they offer a “demi-mesure” tailored suit line made in France. “No one offers custom made today, which used to be traditional and cool. The suit remains an emblematic piece of the masculine wardrobe that one can subtly reinvent through style and fabric.” says Mathieu de Ménonville.
The boutique rue Madame is located in a former bank, where the vault has been preserved to use as a space to welcome clients for exhibits, concerts and informal film screening. In September 2015 they will launch an online platform named Chambre 42 to express interactions between fashion and culture. “Chambre 42 will be another way to integrate fashion with the universe that inspires us without being limited by daily life. It will serve, also, as a dialogue between the brand and its community” explains Mathieu de Ménonville. Chambre 42 will include a selection of books, old records and beautiful objects, produced by partners and colleagues, and video interviews that they have begun to produce in room 42 of the Hotel Louisiane. “We have each lived at the Louisiane at certain points in our life. It is a hotel on the rue de Seine that attracted a whole alternative culture* over the last 50 years” and has very much inspired us” (M de M). For this purpose, they have redecorated the room 42, filling it with books and carefully selected photographs while retaining its authentic charm.