Pigalle: Paris' Enclave of Cool
Built off the back of its minimalist screen-printed T-shirts and hoodies baring simply the boxy logo of the brand, Paris' Pigalle label has grown into an outsize clothing brand with an increasingly ubiquitous presence in the city. Through collaborations and high fashion interests, the French brand — named after the sex industry neighborhood of Paris — has gained a higher profile, attracting attention abroad while still operating out of the neighborhood it takes its name from. Both a brand and a full-service store that features their designs (street and fashion) alongside esteemed pieces from other top houses, Pigalle has carved out its own niche.
The storefront is rather upfront, modest in terms of size and display. The first room is dedicated to menswear in all its facets including Pigalle's signature hats collection of Chapkas and remimagined berets hats made exclusively in France. There are also pieces from Comme des Garçons, Felipe Olivera Baptista, Meiko and other high quality labels and a small, but finely curated selection of athletic footwear. A hallway guides you towards the dressing rooms and women's wear, but first there is a small enclave of Piaglle branded shirts and sweatshirts including pieces from the clothing label's recent collaboration with the record label Sound Pellegrino. One shirt from the capsule features and image and text ode to German DJ/producer Matthias Zimmerman.
On the path to the shop's women's wear, shoppers stroll over pebbles and larger stepping stones. The unique landscaping adds yet another a down-to-earth touch to the store alongside basketball themed imagery and chill vibe in which people can come to hang out and converse casually alongside the racks. When debuting its A/W 2011 collection by the name of Pigalle Breath, the hallway was transformed into an eerie passageway with a beat-centric soundtrack created from actual recorded breathing. In terms of what's on offer for the female contingent, shoppers can find well-constructed dresses, blouses and other colorful tops. There are several racks worth of options spread out against two adjoining walls and framing the room's mirror.
The brand is intertwined with much of the good life when it comes to Paris, like hip above ground bar/underground club Le Pompon, host to many after shows and fashion week parties. Then there's its ties to music and artistic crew by the name of Pain O choKolat featuring the DJ/artist Oko, man about town Charaf Tajer. Recently Pigalle teamed up with Nike to outfit international basketball teams facing off in Paris and New York. In addition, Harlem-based rapper A$AP Rocky can be found decked out in the brand in the majority of his photos and at appearances. The love runs deep for people who wear the brand as it's becoming as ubiquitous as Supreme or Obey.
