Arnys was a legendary French house synonymous with the Parisian school of tailoring. Founded in 1933 by Jankel Grimbert, it slowly grew in reputation as a shirtmaker. But it's only in 1957, when his grandsons Michel and Jean Grimbert decided to move to 14 Rue de Sèvres in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, that Arnys found true success. With the Trente Glorieuses, the Parisian intelligentsia and bourgeoisie wanted new things, far from the conservative and stiff suits of their forefathers. Some went to Joseph Camps and later Francesco Smalto for new and daring cuts, while others choose a more laid-back style, reminiscent of the countryside and the english gentry. Arnys first "new" clients were medicine students, friends of the Grimbert, since the college was close by.Then followed the socialites and the artists, from Montparnasse and the Café de Flore. By the 1960's, all the intellectuals went to Arnys (Jean-Paul Sartre, André Gide, Boris Vian). Even Pablo Picasso ordered a few jackets.
The consecration for Arnys was the design of a very unique jacket: the Forestière. Made for the famous architect Le Corbusier, it was a work jacket inspired by forest guard in the Sologne region. Loose-fitted with a raglan shoulder and turn-up cuffs, it was made to guarantee ample movements without the structure of a a more formal jacket. First in moleskin, Arnys expanded the Forestière to a rainbow of colours, fabrics (from linen to cashmere) and details (quilted, embroidered, unlined). It was the must-have for any successful artist living in Paris.
Arnys made several other jackets, coats, shoes, shirts and ties, in the same vein with bold colours and intricate details, such as the Cornac, the Campus, or the Depart, working only with the best makers (Isaia, Belvest, Lobb, Ugolini, Ballantyne) and fabrics (cashmere, camelhair, lambswool, deerskin, etc.). They also decided to propose bespoke products, mainly suits, in the purest Parisian fashion (Parisian lapel, cigarette shoulder, entirely handmade).
Going to Arnys became like a pilgrimage for dandies and connaisseurs. Artists, poets and authors even wrote the foreword of their annual catalogue.
With such reputation, many other clients came to Arnys, notably politicians from both the Left and the Right, as well as CEO's. By 2013, Arnys was acquired by the luxury group LVMH and merged with the shoemaker Berluti. The name is now gone but still fondly remembered by clients and admirers. In 2017, Arnys made the headline again during the French Presidential Campaign when the Conservative candidate was accused of receiving several bespoke suits and jackets for free from a political operative. A bespoke suit costed around 7500 euros at the time. After more than 90 years, the name Arnys is still a symbol of power and influence in Paris and in the world of tailoring. I propose a classic example of Arnys work: a tan cotton-silk jacket with their iconic Parisian lapel. Made in the 2000's by Isaia, the model is called "Chemise" due to its lightness. Unlined, it will become your favorite sporcoat during spring and summer. As always with Arnys, it is of the upmost quality, from the lining to the buttonholes, from the shoulder to the collar. The conditions is like new. The jacket is best fitted for someone with a 40UK/50FR size around 1m75, despite the label stating a 42/52 size. Here are the measurements Shoulders: 44,5cm Sleeve length: 60cm (with 4cm of fabric to let out) Chest: 52,5cm Waist at button: 51cm Jacket length: 80cm (collar included, with 5cm of fabric to let out) Lapels: 8cm Quality equivalent to the following houses: Cesare Attolini, Cifonelli (RTW), Ermenegildo Zegna (Su Misura), Kiton, Liverano & Liverano, Loro Piana, Ralph Lauren (Purple Label), Santandrea (Saint Andrews), Stefano Ricci, Tom Ford, Zilli Possible to try it in Paris 15th Arrondissement.