When Pauline Moynat started her eponymous label in 1849, it was a revolution of sorts — she was the first woman to make luxury trunks. While this French malletier began with custom-fitted trunks for automobiles, Moynat soon branched out into the crafting of smaller leather goods. The Parisian savoir-faire that was associated with the brand was resurrected by current artistic director, Ramesh Nair (previously at Hermès), when Moynat relaunched in 2011 after a hiatus of almost 30 years.
Star value
Pauline Moynat’s association with actress Gabrielle Réjane led to one of the most iconic creations for the brand — the ‘Réjane’ bag (the first-ever bag to be named after a star at the time). Muse to Pauline, Réjane, a renowned actress of the era, was also the inspiration behind the start of Moynat’s women’s bag line. This year’s version aims to channel sophistication and polished evening chic in an easy-to-tote size (read: super-mini).
Keeping it simple
Perfecting the art of simplicity is usually quite complex to realise — a quality that is synonymous with Moynat. The made-to-measure approach is a rigorous process, from hand stitching to assembling, and a single bag takes around 16 hours to make. The current favourite, the ‘Sac Mignon’, is delicate with finer proportions, as compared to the classic ‘Réjane’ which is bolder and boxier.
Inner child
Pharell Williams’ collaboration with the brand came about after he discovered an old Moynat label at the brand’s Paris store featuring a train, which reminded him of the American classic, The Harvey Girls (1946). The result was a refreshing mix of resin and colour-blocked graphics, previously unseen at the design house.
Social scene
Moynat usually refrains from advertising and is averse to noisy publicity, but their recent Instagram campaign left us wanting more. The mood evoked mature sophistication, topped with artsy mystique, and featured French fashion personalities like Camille Bidault-Waddington, Louis-Marie de Castelbajac and Anne-Sophie Mignaux, all perfectly exemplifying the modern Moynat woman.
Moynat retails at 348 Rue Saint Honoré, Paris and 112 Mount Street, London
Photographs: Instagram.com/moynat
