Don't Call It a Comeback! Marithe + Francois Girbaud Celebrates 40 Years With Spring/Summer 2013 Collection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I heard that Marithe + Francois Girbaud would be celebrating 40 years in the biz this year it brought back memories. Levi's were all the rage when I was in high school. I had them in almost every color. But everybody who was anybody owned a pair of Girbaud's. The little tag sewn on the zipper flap was a status symbol that said you'd transcended ordinary brands and were a tastemaker to be admired and emulated. Sound, over the top? Well, let me tell you. In my high school, we took our jean collection as seriously as we took our sneakers.

Although, Girbaud can be credited with introducing the denim world to industrialized finishing processes, it's been years since they've been a major player in denim. The brand had fallen off the map so far that they'd nearly shuttered their doors last year. Fortunately for us, that hasn't happened and to mark their not-quite-a-comeback, they are pulling out the stops for their new Spring/Summer 2013 collection.

The collection is distinctly East meets West and integrates Feng Shui and sanskrit elements into the design. Notable items are the red wax-and-worn jeans for men and the billowy asian-influenced denim pieces for women. Overall, it's a solid offering which, combined with the brand's commitment to new environmentally-friendly technologies, should help restore it to it's throne. Personally, I like a good comeback.

Click below to see more images from the Spring/Summer 2013 collection.