Marithé + François Girbaud is an international clothing company based in France and founded by stylists François Girbaud and Marithé Bachellerie in 1972.[2][3][4] They created several brands : Compagnie des montagnes et des forêts, Ça, Closed, Matricule 11342, etc.[5]
They are world-known especially for industrialization of the stonewash (stone washing process), baggy trousers and skin-tight jeans.[6][7][8]
History
The fashion duo began their career working in the Parisian clothes shop Western House, in 1964.[9] Then Maurice Chorenslup, Pierre Zelcer and Jacques Rozenker helped the couple to create their first brands.[10]
The 1980s to 1990s were the decades of biggest successes for the French brand, with a $900 million worldwide turnover. In 2010, the group was still generating €200 million of revenue.[11]
In 1992, Kris Kross, the rap/hip hop duo known for hit song "Jump", were wearing Girbaud's jeans in their music video.[13][14][15]
In 1995, Marithé et François began using new cutting and assembly techniques: laser, ultra-sound, techno-fusion.[16] They then launched the new bleu éternel process (1997), which prevents indigo denim from fading. The garment remains soft, comfortable and retains its main properties: depth and authenticity of color. Wattwash, the laser treatment of denim, artificially ages the fabric and reduces water consumption by 97.5%. This provides an opportunity to raise consumers' ecological awareness.[17][18]
In June 2012, it was reported that Girbaud had filed for bankruptcy and that its websites were down.[19]
In 2015, Marithé Bachellerie and François Girbaud created a new company named Mad Lane (an itinerant concept store) but were still using the original name Marithé + François Girbaud.[20][21]
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