PARIS, Apr 20, 2009 / FW/ — The Pyrénées, known historically as the center of French goose and duck breeding, a natural activity which has been in force for the last 200 years throughout the region.
Pyrenex, a company that began as Crabos Company in 1859, founded by Abel Crabos that specialized in the collection of down feather; it will be not until 1960 when the company will produce beddings (eiderdowns, comforters and pillows) for the first time.
It will be 8 years later, 1968 that the company will be officially known as Pyrenex. Content in perfecting the practice of collecting, treatment and selection of feather and down for over a century, Pyrenex evolved in 1970 as it used its considerable knowledge to create beddings, and thus making it a secondary business for the company.
It would be 20 more years before Pyrenex dip its toes in fashion by making down jackets in 1990 while fiercely preserving its original business of working with feathers, a savoir-faire which has become rare in France by the end of the 20th century.
By this time, Pyrenex has become one of its kind in Europe as it reunites several different trades: the collection and preservation of feathers, sorting and calibration, treatment, and the fabrication of down bedding and clothing.
In 2002, the fifth generation Crabos carries on the flame. Thirty-year old Edouard Crabos starts working for Pyrenex and in 2004, at the age of 32; he takes over the direction of the family business.
With the goal of bringing Pyrenex to the 21st century, Edouard Crabos decided to expand into B2C, while still preserving the B2B relationship that has sustained his family’s company for the past 150 years. In a bold move, he decided to launch a fashion line and hired Alexis Mabille as Creative Director.
“Pyrenex made an audacious choice in giving carte blanche to Alexis Mabille, our artistic director. This young fashion designer has literally invented a Pyrenex style and is the force behind our luxury collection,” commented Edouard Crabos.
Unveiled during Paris Prêt-a-porter (Paris Fashion Week) Fall 2009 season held last Mar 5 – 12, 2009, the Pyrenex by Alexis Mabille collection marries 150 years of down feathers know-how with avant-garde fashion, and thus planting the seeds of what will be the Pyrenex DNA when it comes to luxury fashion.
[MARI DAVIS]
Photos courtesy of Pyrenex
