At the heart of the living wardrobe of Fête Impériale, there is the ethical fibre. One that has earned its credentials with exceptional eco-responsible materials and is committed to the preservation of unparalleled know-how. From the first sketches made in the Marais district of Paris to the gobelin spun in Florence, the designer Laura Gauthier Petit favours Parisian, hexagonal and even European production in the creation, sourcing and manufacture of her pieces. And the furthest she has gone to find the expertise of a fall is in a family workshop in Tunisia, on the other side of the Mediterranean. 

From the first pattern to the last finishing touches, a look back at the production process of a clothing brand made in France that seeks out, encourages and promotes know-how while respecting people, materials and the earth.

Since 2015, it is always in Paris that the party begins, where imaginations are unleashed and the tableaux come to life. The heart of Fête impériale 's creation beats at 28, rue du Roi de Sicile, in the very chic Marais district. There, in this former Parisian art gallery transformed into a workshop/showroom/boutique, Laura Gauthier Petit, accompanied by her group of talents, invents, creates and designs all the sweet armours of Fête Impériale. All the collections of la Maison, timeless or seasonal, are passionately "made in Paris"; all - from the sketch of a silhouette to the print of a season - are imagined in the heart of the Parisian studio. And it is also in the sumptuous Paris of the 19th century that the French designer of Reunion origin draws her inspiration to express her delightfully eclectic and sophisticated personal style.

Anchored in the DNA of the Parisian label, environmental awareness and societal ethics play a central role in the search for materials at Fête Impériale. Whenever possible, the brand favours local, national and even regional sourcing and production, with the aim of reducing the carbon footprint of production and promoting French and European living heritage. Laura Gauthier Petit considers fabrics in an eco-responsible perspective that favours small-scale production, short circuits and natural products. The raw or recycled material of the creations, inspired by 19th century fabrics and outfits, is carefully selected, always with a view to not sacrificing the earth and know-how on the altar of ready-to-wear.

Angora from France 

To manufacture its ethical angora pieces, FI works with the Angora de France label, a small French angora rabbit farm located in Loire-Atlantique that respects animals. Small quantities of hair are gently and carefully collected by depilation in line with the natural hair loss cycle of the rabbits to produce around thirty Leontia waistcoats each year, one of the iconic pieces from la Maison. 

Fried Frères, Paris 

For its Eupraxia blouse with the Persephone silk print, Fête Impériale chose buttons from Fried Frères, designers and dressmakers at 13, rue du Caire, Paris.

Mohair knitwear, from England

The majority of Fête Impériale 's knitwear comes from England, especially the mohair knitwear, such as the Duras jumper dress. 

Italy for noble and fragile fabrics and prints 

Fête Impériale sources its silk satin, the flagship fabric of la Maison, from Italian artisans who weave the material according to a local know-how handed down from generationto generation. The silk crepe, silk chiffon, and poplin of Cotton used in many of FI's iconic creations are also Italian. The Linen and cupro, responsible fibers that make up the Claudia dress, for example, are also woven by artisans in the boot.

The prints, a trademark of Fête Impériale, are mostly made in Italy.

In the same way that Fête Impériale favours made in France, or even made in Europe, for the selection of fabrics for its creations, the manufacturers are chosen according to their expertise and their commitment, with the aim of promoting century-old know-how and an extraordinary intangible heritage. Fête Impériale often favours small volumes meticulously made by a handful of passionate and virtuoso craftsmen in France, Italy and England, who meticulously spin, sew and embroider the DNA of the designs.

Maison Lévêque for English embroidery 

To produce the exceptional English embroidery that adorns the timeless Cécile top or Galathée dress, FI calls on the expertise of Maison Lévêque, an internationally renowned manufacturer-creator who, since 1969, has been producing sublime embroidery, lace and tulle for haute couture houses in Villers-Outréaux, in northern France. 

A handful of French knitters 

Thanks to the Angora de France label, Fête Impériale has been able to access a small network of French knitters and promote French craftsmanship while preserving animal welfare.For the angora knit of the Léontia cardigan, Laura Gauthier Petit relies on the expert hands of a retired Breton couple. Coming from a line of knitters, Mrs Lefer has passed on her know-how to her husband and together they are busy making the label's timeless waistcoats.

The lace of Caudry

Pieces from the Riviera collection such as the Gina top are made in France from Caudry lace. 

A Florentine filatier for the goblin 

Certain prints and fabrics from Fête Impériale were made possible by the work of transalpine craftsmen. For the gobelin, a French tapestry technique inherited from the Renaissance, la Maison turned to a Florentine spinner who knew the traditional tapestry techniques inside out. 

All timeless collections, shirts and velvet pieces, as well as creations made from fragile fabrics such as silk satin and custom-made pieces are produced in the Paris studio with the greatest care .

The ethical swimwear line is made in France and some models, like the iconic Naiade swimming costume, are even created in Paris. 

In Italy : development of prints and manufacturing of parts in fragile fabrics.

In Portugal : Fête Impériale collaborates with a small factory in Portugal when production volumes are higher.

In Poland: A large part of the outerwear line, especially the down jackets, is made in Poland .

Tunisia is the furthest country with which Fête Impériale is associated for the

of its models, notably for the swimwear line, part of the outerwear and denim pieces. Why Tunisia? The factory with which the brand works is on a human scale, employs seamstresses with incomparable know-how, uses machines that limit water consumption and offers its "little hands" excellent working conditions.

Laura Gauthier Petit collaborates with Parisian, French and European artists to develop her collections and create original and committed prints. For her exclusive capsule collection in collaboration with Info-endometriosis, the FI director has teamed up with four French artists. And it is with Rachelle Cunningham, the Irish painter based in Paris, that FI has concocted its new capsule collection "Venus and Adonis" inspired by a poetic play by Shakespeare.