(3) A Night of Heritage and Haute Couture
Written by Anne Burille & Gilles Andre
Bonne soirée!
It’s Anne and Gilles again. On the evening of Friday, September 13, we were welcomed by Maison CHAPAL to their elegant Parisian showroom for a special collaboration with The Sartorial Club, titled "When Heritage Meets Haute Couture". Situated on the iconic Rue de Rivoli, just steps from the Jardin des Tuileries, the event’s "militaristic chic" theme set the tone for an evening that seamlessly blended rugged military design with the luxury of haute couture.
As the second annual event by the Club in collaboration with Parisian brands, the night gave us an exclusive look at garments that pay homage to CHAPAL’s rich heritage in aviation and military attire, reimagined with a modern twist. The setting and atmosphere were truly cinematic—Parisian elegance in every detail. Join us as we take you through a recap of this unforgettable evening!
Our Intepretation for the Dress Code
Anne: When I first read the theme (Miltaristic Chic) of the evening, I laughed. I was wearing a desert military jacket over British fatigue pants. A lot of pieces from my whardore come from military vestiaire, so it was not so difficult for me to find something that could match the theme. As CHAPAL is well known for their aviator’s jackets, my choice was easy : I have a vintage jumpsuit from the US army, under it I will wear a tulle and velvet body to have a more “chic” aspect and, of course, heels. Satin flashy pink heels. Plus, it was very cold that night in Paris, so I took my ascot, a gift from Terrence.
Gilles: To align with the evening's theme, I decided to wear a pair of grain leather loafers from Crockett & Jones, paired with white trousers from the Italian Navy. I complemented this with a chambray button-down shirt crafted by Les Francs Tireurs, all layered under a British Army desert field jacket. This outfit perfectly captures the durability and quality of fabrics while remaining adaptable—equally fitting for sipping champagne or disappearing into nature should trouble arise. It exemplifies timeless style and functional elegance, in true Maison CHAPAL spirit.
Stepping into the Eveing
CHAPAL’’s showroom is perfectly located just 50 meters from the Jardin des Tuileries, on the iconic Rue de Rivoli—a setting straight out of a film. Just take the time to imagine the picturesque cityscape, the evening felt just as cinematic
Paris, the city of lights, has always been synonymous with elegance, romance, and luxury. Now, you are stepping into a world of sophistication: you find yourself standing in front of a magnificent building, the epitome of Parisian grandeur. Magnificent doorway, wooden stairs, gigantesque mirror, moulding all over the ceilings, and as you are going up, we were greeted by Louise, who welcomed us into the stunning family-owned apartment.
Once inside, the space was nothing short of magnificent. Wooden staircases, gigantic mirrors, scale models of Ferraris, and even handwritten notes from Naomi Campbell filled the rooms. It was clear this apartment had been a cherished part of CHAPAL’s history for generations.
I (Anne) wandered through the space, captivated by all the small details, including an artisan named Olivier, who was meticulously working on a leather pouch with a mosaic pattern. He explained how each square of leather was carefully placed, turning the piece into a work of art. It was soon to be a pouch for a lucky & stylish computer!
A Warm Welcome Accompanied with a Friendly Competition
The evening continued with the arrival of all the members—some familiar faces, others new. Dennise and the Club (a big thank you!) played their role as organizer perfectly, facilitating conversations over flowing champagne. Mr. Bardinon's speech followed, tracing the company’s history and its close ties to the fashion industry, explaining how he distanced CHAPAL from trends to offer his own vision of luxury.
USAAF components, turn into display to showcase CHAPAL's savoir-faire
Gilles: Next came a challenging quiz on the brand's history, which stirred some competitive spirit. It was a funny activity to have and it was pretty easy to participate : you only needed a phone and a brain. Though I started strong, I panicked and finished last, missing out on the podium prizes. However, CHAPAL’s generosity prevailed, as we all received a special gift—a membership certificate along with a commemorative cardholder.
Anne: The evening went by and a quiz was organized : the atmosphere was very joyful ! I was trying with the help of some friends to win, or to avoid some traps that Denise setted up (and some fell into it, but I knew that the favorite family sport was automobiles thanks to the ferraris, and not aviation even though the picture showed some planes. Call me Sherlock.) but I ended up 4, not in the podium. I’m still recovering. Big congratulations to Arthur and Hanna who came in as the first and 2nd for the competition. Both were offered beautiful gifts from CHAPAL.
Discovering Iconic Pieces
Anne: I then went to be interviewed by the Club not an easy exercise but I was accompanied by lovely ladies (Laurence & Claire) from CHAPAL, I had the B3 jacket on my shoulders, so what could go wrong ? When you have this heavy and soft sheep fur on your skin, you feel hugged and also very powerful. I also tried the USAAF jacket, it was more “rock n roll” vibe, even though the quality of the leather and the fur gave for sure added luxury.
Gilles: The night continued with lively discussions about our favorite pieces from the collection. Personally, I was drawn to the USAAF jacket in blue without the fur lining. Its color reminded me of the French Air Force uniforms, and the ribbed cuffs added a touch of elegance. Plus, the four outer and two inner pockets brought practical functionality—a true combination of style and utility. Not to mention the beautiful silk lining designed by Terrance!
Saying Goodbye
Gilles: Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and I eventually had to head back to my apartment. I left feeling fulfilled by the wonderful encounters, shared laughter, and overall joy of the evening. A huge thanks to the Sartorial Club for giving me the opportunity to dive deep into the history of Maison CHAPAL and its incredible legacy. I eagerly look forward to reconnecting with this newfound family at future events, whether in Paris or elsewhere.
Anne: As the evening unfolds, I said bye to everyone , changed my shoes and as Cinderella I was home by midnight. And see you later, I hope in Florence in January !
