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Is Lemaire a Luxury Brand? Inside the French Label Parisians Love

Model in navy sleeveless silk dress carrying a black Lemaire clutch on the SS26 runway
Lemaire SS26 collection, Look 16 — refined minimalism in fluid navy silk. © Tagwalk

Many fashion lovers ask: Is Lemaire a luxury brand? The answer is yes — but not in the way you might expect. While heritage houses flaunt monograms and seasonal spectacle, Lemaire represents the other side of French luxury: quiet, intellectual, and lived-in. Instead of shouting wealth, it whispers refinement — the kind of elegance you only notice on someone after a second glance.

Founded in 1991 by Christophe Lemaire and now co-designed with Sarah-Linh Tran, the brand has built a cult following for its understated confidence. From the curved high-waisted pants to the sculptural Croissant Bag, Lemaire pieces are made to be worn daily, yet feel rare and elevated. It’s precisely this balance that makes Parisians — famously allergic to showiness — so devoted to the label.

Lemaire proves that yes, it is luxury, but of a new kind: discreet, versatile, and quietly confident.

The Story of Lemaire: From Hermès to Quiet Confidence

Model in beige shirt and blue draped skirt carrying a black Lemaire Croissant Bag on the SS26 runway
Lemaire SS26 collection, Look 03 — minimalist Parisian elegance with the iconic Croissant Bag. © Tagwalk

Christophe Lemaire launched his namesake label in 1991 after stints at Christian Lacroix and Lacoste, before serving as artistic director at Hermès from 2010 to 2014. Together with Sarah-Linh Tran, he has since refined Lemaire into one of France’s most restrained yet intellectual fashion houses.

The duo also design Uniqlo U, a diffusion line that translates their philosophy into everyday essentials. The collaboration underscores their design ethos: timelessness over trends, accessibility alongside luxury.

Why Parisians Love Lemaire

Model in belted grey jacket and layered skirt walking the Lemaire SS26 runway at Paris Fashion Week
Lemaire SS26 collection, Look 09 — intellectual tailoring in muted grey tones. © Tagwalk

French fashion often prioritizes restraint over spectacle. In Paris, elegance is about attitude, not logos — a cultural code that Lemaire embodies.

  • Understated style: no branding, no gimmicks, just cut, drape, and fabric.
  • Wardrobe longevity: pieces designed to be reworn, aging gracefully with time.
  • Parisian minimalism: a palette of ivory, slate, tobacco, and indigo that feels at once modern and classic.

For Parisians, Lemaire is not about making an entrance. It’s about belonging effortlessly — the kind of confidence you see in Left Bank cafés, carried as naturally as a book under the arm.

Iconic Lemaire Pieces You Should Know

The Croissant Bag

Close-up of Lemaire’s dark chocolate Croissant Bag with a pearl strap, styled with a sheer brown dress from the Spring-Summer 2025 collection.
Lemaire’s SS25 Croissant Bag in dark chocolate leather with a pearl strap, a perfect blend of craftsmanship and modern sophistication.

One of the brand’s most recognizable creations, the Croissant Bag takes its name from the crescent-shaped French pastry. Made in supple Nappa leather, cotton canvas, or coated finishes, it’s both practical and poetic. Variations like the Fortune Croissant or Croissant Filt evolve the silhouette while staying true to its sculptural roots.

Available in Paris boutiques and online at lemaire.fr, it’s become a global emblem of quiet luxury.

Shop the Croissant Bag on Lemaire.fr

High-Waisted Curved Pants

Lemaire SS26 lookbook with models in dark denim trousers and a leather bag against a white backdrop
Lemaire SS26 campaign — relaxed denim tailoring and understated accessories. © Tagwalk

A cult favorite among insiders, the High-Waisted Curved Pants demonstrate Lemaire’s technical mastery. Cut from Japanese-woven denim with twisted side seams, they curve gently around the leg. Structured yet fluid, they exemplify the brand’s genius for wardrobe staples that feel quietly radical.

Signature Outerwear

Male model in navy trench coat, patterned knit, and wide-leg trousers walking the Lemaire SS26 runway
Lemaire SS26 collection, Look 26 — Parisian minimalism in tailored outerwear. © Tagwalk

Lemaire coats are often the first investment piece for new devotees. Oversized silhouettes, fluid trench coats, and muted wool jackets strike a balance between function and poetry. Each season reinterprets the classics without losing the brand’s DNA.

Lemaire on the Runway: Minimalism for Real Life

Female model in chocolate brown knit dress with oversized black tote on the SS26 runway
Lemaire SS26 collection, Look 40 — sleek Parisian knitwear with sculptural accessories. © Tagwalk

Unlike trend-driven houses, Lemaire’s runway shows evolve gently, season after season. Recent collections emphasized:

  • Contrasts: soft silks offset by workwear-inspired tailoring.
  • Color stories: earthy neutrals punctuated with unexpected pastels.
  • Wearability: garments made for wardrobes, not just for the catwalk.

It’s fashion that resists spectacle, aligning Lemaire more closely with peers like The Row, Jil Sander, or Phoebe Philo’s Céline than with logo-centric luxury.

Where to Shop Lemaire in Paris and Online

Interior of the Lemaire store in Paris, featuring minimalist design, natural tones, and curated clothing displays.
Step inside the Lemaire store in Paris, where minimalist design meets timeless craftsmanship in a serene and thoughtfully curated space.

To experience the brand in its purest form, visit the Lemaire boutique in the Marais:

📍 1 rue Elzevir, 75003 Paris
🌐 Online at lemaire.fr

The Paris store reflects the brand’s ethos: natural tones, quiet interiors, and clothes displayed like art pieces. Shopping there feels less like retail, more like entering a private world of refined simplicity.

Final Thoughts: Is Lemaire a Luxury Brand?

Model in mustard silk maxi dress walking the Lemaire SS26 runway at Paris Fashion Week
Lemaire SS26 collection, Look 48 — fluid silk elegance in muted mustard. © Tagwalk

Yes — but it redefines what luxury means. Lemaire is not about overt branding or seasonal hype; it’s about timeless Parisian elegance, impeccable craftsmanship, and intellectual design. From the Croissant Bag to the curved denim, every piece reflects a commitment to style that lasts beyond trends.

If you want to understand French fashion beyond the big heritage houses, Lemaire is the label Parisians actually wear — discreet, confident, and enduring.

For more French fashion inspiration, don’t miss my guide to Must-Know French Fashion Brands Parisians Love.

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