Fab 40: Le Mont St Michel Fashion

last updated 9 September 2022

From a confidential brand first launched in Japan, Le Mont Saint Michel became, in just a few seasons, a reference from New York to Milan and Hong-Kong. Founded in 1913, the iconic French family-owned business was something of a sleeping beauty when Alexandre Milan, the 30 year-old son of a textile industrialist, decided to give the brand a twist.

A fan of the Smiths, Blondie and American Graffiti, Alexandre soon turned Le Mont Saint Michel into an edgy label proudly facing its traditional heritage. 'It’s a bit like when you have to wear a strict British uniform and your only wish is to subvert it with style to make it your own,' Alexandre Milan explains. With a retro rock attitude, Alexandre constantly digs into the archives to revive jacquard prints and Normand blazons. Reinventing knitwear, he gives it a lurex finish, electric colours, and an emphasis on graphic prints and structured cuts.

Created in the family-owned Chateau de Monthorin, near the Mont Saint-Michel bay, the collections capitalise on the secular tradition of state-of-the-art knitwear in the atelier once run by Alexandre’s great grand-mother. Installed steps away from the fashionable Etienne Marcel neighbourhood, their first Parisian boutique mixes contemporary lines with a vintage rock feel.

www.lemontsaintmichel.fr

The Biscuit House by AU*M Architectes Urbanistes

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Outside image looking through the glass wall of windows and door frame, into The Biscuit House by AU*M Architectes Urbanistes, Lyon, stone steps, gravel pathway, potted plants, yellow interior lighting

Interior open plan room, white walls, black staircase, glass wall windows open, dark grey leather l shaped sofa, floor standing fan, dark grey bucket chair, grey coffee table, white kitchen units, wodden dining table with white chairs, ceiling lights, outside wooden patio area, surrounding lawn and trees

Interior open plan room, black gloss floor, white walls, black columns, window wall, ceiling lights, grey sofa, grey unit with stack of logs, floor standing fan, grey bucket chair, patio and garden area to the right

Interior room, white walls and ceiling, grey gloss floor, grey bucket rocking chair, black framed widows, doorway, top of black stairwell with glass barrier, white log sculpture, wire design ceiling light, potted plant, outside view of trees

Bedroom, white walls, grey gloss floor, double bed on wooden platform, brown covers and white pillows, free stading white bath, white sink with running tab and filled bowl of water, black framed glass floor to ceiling windows, floor standing bedside lamps, mirror, wall art

Pastries by Camille Lesecq

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White surface, white plate, white and orange pastrie

Close up image of a green and orange pastrie by Camille Lesecq

White surface, white plate, pastries dish, including strawberry's and cream by Camille Lesecq

Black surface, small pile of chocolate powder, croissant style pastries to the right

White surface, white plate, an arrangement of a pastrie dish by Camille Lesecq

Lilas Animation Centre in Paris by Christian Biecher & Associes

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Interior corridor at the Lilas Animation Centre in Paris, white walls, white suspended tiled ceiling, spotlights, white doors, red floor

Interior room at the Lilas Animation Centre in Paris, wooden floor, mirrored wall, white ceiling, bllack framed windows reflected in the mirrors, with view of surrounding buildings and trees

Daytime, raised outside view of buildings and roof tops, grey concrete playground area, trees, blue sky

La Grand Place, Musée du Cristal Saint-Louis

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Interior view of La Grand Place, Musé, e du Cristal Saint-Louis, three story high, wooden framed glass frontged display, walkway with glass safety panels, white ground floor, ceiling chandeliers hanging down

Interior view of the La Grand Place, wooden framed gallery, walkway, high wooden beam ceiling, metal framework with spotlights, glass fronted display windows

Daytime, outside view of the Lilas Animation Centre in Paris, white building with multiple windows, bare trees, yellow signage to front door entrance, grass lawn, white pathway, clear blue sky

Ground floor view looking up to the ceiling chandelier La Grand Place, Musée du Cristal Saint-Louis, surrounding wooden and glass barriers on each floor

Interior open plan room at the La Grand Place, Musée du Cristal Saint-Louis, high wooden ceiling, metal framework, neutral floor, wooden framed window galleries, clear plastic sheeting covering framework in the centre of the room

Workshop area, La Grand Place, Musée du Cristal Saint-Louis, workmen, furnace, high wooden and metal framed ceiling, industrial machinery, spotlights, concrete floor, windows

Interior view from the viewing gallery at the La Grand Place, Musée du Cristal Saint-Louis, chandelier lit up, glass fronted display windows, walkways, glass barriers with wooden frame

VW House by Franklin Azzi

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Brick house, windows and doorway, side steps, wooden platform balcony with black chair, hillside, patio area, trees, blue sky

Daytime, high view of VW House by Franklin Azzi, wood panel and brick building, windows, wooden balcony platforms, patio area, trees, grass, red poppy flowers, surrounding town and landscape in the back drop, blue sky

Interior living room space, wooden floor, white walls and ceiling, black leather sofa and two chairs on silver metal frame, side table with lamp, wooden shelving with books on left wall, white door and window on right wall, far wall has patio doors open, surrounding area, grass verge, patio, pathway, trees

Interior living room space, wooden floor, rug, white walls and ceiling, black leather sofa and two chairs on silver metal frame, black side chair, small window left wall, white door and window on right wall, far wall has patio doors open, surrounding area, grass verge, woman sat in chair outside, patio, pathway, trees

Daytime, outside image of VW House by Franklin Azzi, patio area, reclining chairs, grass lawn, trees, blue sky

Kitchen room interior in the VW House by Franklin Azzi, white units, wooden worktop, white walls, windows, black hob and oven, outside view of garden shrubs

Attic room in VW House by Franklin Azzi, pointed ceiling with wooden beams, white walls, brick wall and door open into the room, low bed on the floor with grey cover, pillows stacked to the side, sky light windows, rug

Ara dress by Heal Fashion

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Sleeveless Ara dress by Heal fashion

Ara dress detail by Heal fashion

Young female model wearing navy blue Ara dress by Heal Fashion, black tights, pale grey backdrop

Baby Horse dress by Ara fashion

Young female model leaning backwards, wearing navy blue Baby Horse dress detail by Heal fashion, black tights, pale grey backdrop

Odysee dress by Ara fashion

Hotel Ville d'Hiver, Arachon

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Dining room at the Hotel Ville d'Hiver, Arachon, wooden chairs with red seat cushions, tables with white table cloths and decorated with dinnerware, drinking glasses and white napkins, black ceiling lamps, window, black and white checked floor, wall art

Close up of a white dinner plate with decorated food, blurred black table surface, drinking glasses one with half filled red wine, wicker basket with bread rolls

Daytime, outside image of the Hotel Ville d'Hiver, Arachon, garden plants, pointed roof wing of the building, balcony, white wall, clear blue sky

Close up shot in a bathroom at the Hotel Ville d'Hiver, Arachon, white sink, silver taps, wooden wall, mirrors, pastel green wall and heated towel rail, bathroom reflection in the mirror

Dinner table, neutral table cloth, silver cutlery, napkins, row of four empty drinking glasses, long gold framed wall mirror, silver candelabras either side, black ceiling lamps reflected in the mirror

Dark hallway door open leading to another room, blue and black checked floor, pastel coloured walls, blue and white vase under a window, three small side tables, long floor standing mirror

Night time, outside image of the Hotel Ville d'Hiver, Arachon, up lights on the brick building, with redand white arch framed windows, stone steps, shrubs and trees

Sitting room at the Hotel Ville d'Hiver, Arachon, blue and black checked floor, lime green and two dark wood framed chairs with matching sofa, spotlights, blue and white floor standing vases, small table with dark wood framed artwork placed on top, dark wood doorway leading into the next sitting room

Bar area at the Hotel Ville d'Hiver, Arachon, brown checked floor, green unit and wooden coungter top, bar stools, black hanging ceiling lamps, glasss fronted fridge, crockery and shelving behind the counter, chairs, neutral walls

Daytime, outside image of Hotel Ville d'Hiver, Arachon dining area, black chair, table with white cloth, rows of empty glasses, cutlery, white and red brick wall, blurred trees and surrounding area, blue sky

Das Pop, from Le Mont St Michel

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Close up a man wearing a knitted blue cardigan with brass buttons, top of jeans with his hand half way in the pocket, white backdrop

Male group members of Das Pop, from Le Mont St Michel

Four male group members of Das Pop, from Le Mont St Michel, looking up at the camera, one with a white guitar, one holding a violin and bow

Close up of two members of the group Das Pop, from Le Mont St Michel, white door behind, body shots, one with back camera, jeans and black and white jumper, the other playing a white and black electric guitar

Four male group members of Das Pop, from Le Mont St Michel, one with a red electric guitar, guitars hung up in the background

Pap Femme, from Le Mont St Michel

Female model wearing a black blue and grey top, black pants, navy blue coat draped over her arm, white wall background, painting in bronze colour frame on the wall

Female model, wearing black blazer and shorts, metal silver and black striped top, white corridor backdrop

Female model sat in a chair, wearing black jacket, dark trouser, multicolour stripe scarf, dark wood unit with ornament =s and vases on the top, white wall with black frame, dark grey floor

Dusk image of a Female model stood on a low glass framed balcony, wearing black a beige jacket with deep red jumper, jeans, grey sky, surrounding trees and grass area in the background

Female model, wearing blue knitted jumper, dark blue short skirt and tights, white walls, large white framed oval mirror

Female model knelt on a white covered bed, wearing a mustard yellow knitted cardigan, multicoloured shorts, bed side table with black lamp, books, white walls, with large black framed black and white images

Female model stood in front of a white wall, wearing a black chiffon top and short blue skirt, black tights, dummy stags head mounted on the wall behind her

Female model sat on a slate grey bench,, wearing black and white diamond jumper, wet look blue leggings, bare feet, vase with tall flower, dark grey floor, white wall

Female model, wearing a dark blue detailed cardigan, black dress and tights, orange lamp, white walls, dark wood ceiling, black gloss side table, potted plant

Woman in a purple and blue patterned dress lay upright on the edge of a bed, white covers and pillow, white sculpture statue to her right, dark wood bedside table with glass vase, white wall column, black tiled floor

Female model, wearing a dark blue sleeveless dress and black tights, white walls, tv screen in the background

Female model, wearing a black dress and black tights, white walls and door, picture of apalm trees and beach scene to the left

Musée International de la Parfumerie, Grasse

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Lobby of the Musée International de la Parfumerie, Grasse, white walls and columns, grey floor, black curved stairwell, display units lit up, black hanging wall light, display items

Viewing gallery, visitors, rustic metal piping feature, white patterned walls and white columns, skylights, black and glass barrier, spotlights

Daytime, outside roof terrace image, wooden slat floor, with soiled planting area with plants, mirrored wall, surrounding buildings in the backdrop, blue sky

The debut collection by Moustache

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Interior blue and gold themed sitting room, white floor with black diamond pattern, two wooden back chairs with blue seats, gold coloured two seater silk sofa, white balloon shaped features on side tables

Interior room, wooden floor, red patterned walls, red textured screen on white stand, wooden archway, white balloon shaped feature on a blue box, two wooden chairs

Interior room, wooden floor, wooden table, small white chair sat on top, shelving unit with colourful ornaments, white wall

Interior sitting room, patterned walls and carpet, blue chairs, white balloon shaped feature, wall art

Interior dining room, dark wood round gloss table, bright coloured bespoke chairs, dark walls, gold coloured ceiling, white balloon shaped hanging light shade,

Office room, purple bespoke chairs, dark wood desk on a round burnt orange rug, white balloon shaped feature lamp, dark wood room surround, wooden circular feature on the ceiling, grey scale floor

Interior room, wooden floor, pale wood table, purple bespoke chair, red patterned walls, dark wood unit with arched glass feature

Interior room, grey floor, neutral coloured chair, dark wood wall frames, purple and neutral framed divider screen

interior room, wooden frame and wall panels, painting on the right wall, opaque glass shelves on a narrow wooden frame

Close up of a small wooden chair with blue seat, black floor and grey backdrop

Water scene of people in canoe style boats painted on a wall, wooden panel below

Interior room, stone floor, five white balloon shaped mapls, dark wood, n=bench, dark wood firplace, painted walls, wood panelling on walls, chandelier

Interior bedroom, wood floor, double bed, gold frame, large green and gold headboard canopy, white balloon shaped lamps, blue box stand, deep purple walls

Interior bedroom, grey floor, double four poster bed, green draped curtains, wood frame, large wood headboard, white balloon shaped lamps, orange chair, wood beam ceiling, wood panelled and print walls

Nomiya Restaurant, Palais Tokyo, Paris

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Daytime, outside view from the Nomiya Restaurant, Palais Tokyo, Paris, long dining table with row of empty drinking glasses and cutlery, chairs, Eifel tower and surrounding area in the backdrop, pale blue-sky

Daytime, outside image of the Nomiya Restaurant, Palais Tokyo, Paris, on top of a tall stone column building, blue cloudy sky

The Hemera by PGO Automobiles

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Small metallic green 'Hemera' sports car, white background

Small blue 'Hemera' sports car, white background

Rear view of a small blue 'Hemera' sports car, doors and boot open, white background

Side angle view of a small metallic green 'Hemera' sports car, white background

Side angle view of a small blue 'Hemera' sports car, white background

Borrowed Treasures by Philippe Rahm at the Musee d'Orsay

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Close up of the large mirror sphere, Borrowed Treasures by Philippe Rahm at the Musee d'Orsay

Front desk Interior image, neutral floor and back wall, ceiling spot lights, at the Borrowed Treasures by Philippe Rahm at the Musee d'Orsay

Les Thermes Marins de Cannes

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Swimming pool area at Les Thermes Marins de Cannes, sun loungers, white towel, shrubs, wooden walkway around the pool

Swimming pool area at Les Thermes Marins de Cannes, sun loungers, white towel, shrubs, wooden and concrete walkway around the pool, white canopy, blue sky

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Jack Moss is the Fashion Features Editor at Wallpaper*, joining the team in 2022. Having previously been the digital features editor at AnOther and digital editor at 10 and 10 Men magazines, he has also contributed to titles including i-D, Dazed, 10 Magazine, Mr Porter’s The Journal and more, while also featuring in Dazed: 32 Years Confused: The Covers, published by Rizzoli. He is particularly interested in the moments when fashion intersects with other creative disciplines – notably art and design – as well as championing a new generation of international talent and reporting from international fashion weeks. Across his career, he has interviewed the fashion industry’s leading figures, including Rick Owens, Pieter Mulier, Jonathan Anderson, Grace Wales Bonner, Christian Lacroix, Kate Moss and Manolo Blahnik.