When French Chic in Prêt-à-Porter Makes It Home in Bordeaux

The Revival of French Ready-to-Wear Has Finally Arrived in Bordeaux: Responsible Elegance and Parisian Spirit

Over the past few years, a new generation of French ready-to-wear brands has emerged, breathing new life into the timeless allure of chic à la française. More than just fashion labels, they embody a Parisian art of living — inspiring, creative, and effortlessly elegant — blending sophistication with ease, and combining authentic craftsmanship with a commitment to responsibility.

Let’s take a closer look at three French houses that have recently set up shop in the very heart of Bordeaux.

Sézane & Octobre Éditions: Pioneers of Contemporary Elegance

A Digital Success Story

Founded in 2013 by Morgane Sézalory, Sézane was one of the first fully digital French fashion brands. It quickly became a key player in the French ready-to-wear scene, celebrated for its timeless aesthetic, strong eco-conscious commitments, and modern approach to fashion.

A Unique Concept: “The Apartment”

Sézane reinvented the idea of a boutique by turning it into a living space. Its Appartements, now present in several major cities, offer an immersive experience that combines fashion, lifestyle, and conviviality.

The Bordeaux Apartment, located on Place Puy-Paulin, is no exception — a welcoming and inspiring destination for lovers of effortless style.

Octobre Éditions: The Men’s Wardrobe

In 2016, Sézane expanded its vision with Octobre Éditions, its menswear line. Offering timeless, elegant pieces, Octobre brought the brand’s signature sophistication to a generation of urban men drawn to French chic.

Recently opened in the same building, Octobre Éditions is now fully accessible to Bordeaux’s stylish gentlemen.

📍 Address: 1 Place Puy-Paulin, 33000 Bordeaux

🕒 Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

🌐 Website: sezane.com | Instagram:
@sezane

Balzac Paris: Sustainable Elegance

A Family Business

The Balzac Paris adventure began in 2014, when Chrysoline de Gastines, her husband Victorien, and their friend Charles Fourmaux decided to embark on a shared entrepreneurial journey. Initially launched as an online tie brand, the project soon evolved into something much bigger — a responsible women’s ready-to-wear label.

In just a few years, Balzac Paris became a leading name in French slow fashion, winning over a loyal community of women seeking meaning, transparency, and timeless elegance.

A Responsible and Transparent Vision

Through its signature approach — “Toujours Plus Responsable” (“Always More Responsible”) — Balzac Paris places ethics at the heart of its mission. Each collection is crafted using sustainable materials such as organic cotton, European linen, Tencel, and recycled fibers, produced in limited quantities.

The brand also encourages conscious consumption through second-hand initiatives, recycling programs, and support for charitable organizations — building an ecosystem for more circular, thoughtful fashion.

A Romantic, Parisian Aesthetic

Balzac Paris is instantly recognizable for its romantic yet effortless style: flowy dresses, floral prints, ruffled blouses, and timeless cuts. Feminine, poetic, and easy to wear, its pieces embody a gentle sophistication that transcends trends.

A Brand Driven by Its Founders

Today, Chrysoline de Gastines remains the public face and creative soul of Balzac Paris, working hand in hand with Victorien and Charles. Their complementary talents — creativity, strategy, and entrepreneurship — have turned a simple online idea into a true French success story.

📍 Address: 18 Cours de l’Intendance, 33000 Bordeaux

🕒 Hours: Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

🌐 Website: www.balzac-paris.fr | Instagram: @balzacparis

A Family-Born Brand

Since its founding, Balzac Paris has stood out for its ethical and sustainable approach, inspired by French literary culture and timeless Parisian chic.

Responsible Chic

Combining elegant essentials, modern cuts, and eco-friendly fabrics, Balzac Paris redefines accessible luxury through a conscious lens.

A Showcase in the Triangle d’Or

In July 2025, Balzac Paris inaugurated a stunning 300 m² boutique at 18 Cours de l’Intendance. Bright and refined, this new setting confirms Bordeaux’s growing appeal for France’s most elegant fashion houses.


Maison Stella & Suzie: Creative Femininity

An Instagram-Born Adventure

Founded in 2016 by Laure Le Floch, a young entrepreneur passionate about fashion, Maison Stella & Suzie was born on Instagram. Its capsule collections, produced in small series and shared through a loyal, engaged community, propelled the brand to success.

In just a few years, it has become a reference for modern, bohemian-inspired womenswear.

An Exclusive and Community-Driven Concept

Maison Stella & Suzie embraces a confidential, almost intimate approach to fashion. Each limited-edition collection creates anticipation and rarity, while the brand maintains a close connection with its audience through social media — sharing creative insights, inspirations, and values. This digital-first model has resonated deeply with a generation seeking originality and authenticity.

A Bohemian-Chic, Feminine Style

Maison Stella & Suzie’s aesthetic is instantly identifiable:

Flowy dresses with exclusive prints, romantic blouses with refined details, and modern, colorful tailoring. The brand captures the essence of boho-chic
femininity — effortless, confident, and modern — offering versatile pieces that are as unique as they are wearable.

A Brand Embodied by Its Founder

At the helm, Laure Le Floch represents this new generation of French designers who have built success outside traditional frameworks. Visionary and close to her community, she brings Stella & Suzie a strong creative energy where every collection tells a story, an emotion, a desire to connect.

📍 Address: 24 Rue de Grassi, 31000 Toulouse (Flagship Boutique)

🕒 Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Sunday: Closed

🌐 Website: www.stellasuzie.com | Instagram: @stellasuzie

A Young, Inspired Label

Founded in 2017 by Margaux Minguez-Lahana, Maison Stella & Suzie quickly established itself as a poetic, creative, and modern French ready-to-wear house.

A Delicate Yet Confident Style

Its collections — romantic yet contemporary — celebrate femininity in all its forms.

A New Address in the Heart of Bordeaux

Now established on Place Puy-Paulin, Stella & Suzie joins Sézane in revitalizing one of Bordeaux’s most dynamic shopping districts.


French Elegance Takes Root in Bordeaux

With Sézane & Octobre Éditions, Maison Stella & Suzie, and Balzac Paris, Bordeaux’s city centre is transforming into a showcase for modern, creative French ready-to-wear.

These houses embody a renewed art of living — combining elegance, authenticity, and responsibility — much to the delight of Bordeaux locals and fashion lovers from afar.

As members of the BARNES network, ambassadors of the French art de vivre worldwide, our agencies are, of course, delighted to witness this revival.