Founded in 2005 on the Basque coast by Chloé de Bailliencourt, Arsène et les Pipelettes embodies the spirit of creative and sustainable fashion for children. Inspired by trends and influenced by vintage fashion, the brand stands out for its boldness, comfort and timelessness. Each collection is a celebration of joy of life and optimism, with unique prints and vibrant colours, designed for children to enjoy throughout the seasons. The brand has since expanded its horizons with the launch of its women's wear collection in 2021, a wardrobe that reflects both chic and casual fashion. Find out more about the inspirations and goals of this innovative brand in our interview with Mathilde Pauquet, Head of Business Development.

LNB: Can you tell us about the Arsène et les Pipelettes creative process?

Mathilde: Each season, our designer, Chloé de Bailliencourt and the team come up with unique pieces where every detail counts. Noble materials such as cotton veil, jacquard knits and soft jerseys are carefully selected for their quality and durability. Each garment is designed to add a touch of elegance and a dose of smile, from playful patterns to unexpected details.

LNB: How is Arsène et les Pipelettes committed to a sustainable future?

Mathilde : Sustainability is a priority for Arsène et les Pipelettes. We favour eco-friendly and certified materials, such as organic cotton and EcoVero viscose. Our products are mainly made in Portugal and India, countries renowned for their craftsmanship. 

Furthermore, to minimise our environmental impact, we reuse fabric off-cuts and donate unsold items to charities, we have reduced our packaging by 30% and converted our tote bags to organic and GOTS-certified cotton, and our aim is to achieve 100% eco-responsible packaging by 2025.

LNB : Can you tell us about your international distribution strategy?

Mathilde : We favour distribution through multi-brand outlets in the mid-high end of the market. We are already present in over 14 countries with around a hundred outlets, including Galeries Lafayette Hausmann and Smallable. Our aim is to strengthen our presence in Europe, focusing on markets such as Germany, Benelux, Spain and the Netherlands, and to extend our reach to the United States, Japan, Korea and China. International expansion brings challenges, such as selecting the best agents to represent our brand abroad and raising our profile in these new markets.

LNB: What is the strategy behind your collaborations with brands like La Redoute?

Mathilde : Our brand frequently teams up with other brands in order to expand our audience. Collaborations with Jojo Factory, l'Atelier du Chocolat, La Redoute and Vallebelle not only reinforce Arsène et les Pipelettes' image, but also offer designers the opportunity to explore new creative perspectives and increase their visibility. These collaborations help to strengthen the brand's image while consolidating its presence on the international market.

Arsène et les Pipelettes' B2B web showroom on LE NEW BLACK.

LNB: What role has technology, in particular LE NEW BLACK, played in the development of Arsène et les Pipelettes?

Mathilde: With the help of LE NEW BLACK, Arsène et les Pipelettes has been able to transform and optimise its ordering process, giving our customers the opportunity to discover our collections in a detailed and attractive way, even remotely. The boutiques we partner with also benefit from our use of the platform, which not only makes it easier to place orders, but also to manage restocking and follow-up. 

LE NEW BLACK provides us with an elegant and professional showcase and enables us to maintain a relationship of trust with our commercial partners, improving efficiency and customer satisfaction. The platform plays an essential role in the brand's international expansion, enabling us to reach new markets while maintaining the quality and authenticity of our exchanges.