LA NAISSANCE
At the end of the 19th century, François Auguste Gamichon arrived in Paris and founded the company that would later become Chantelle at 241 Rue Saint Denis. At that time, women's figures were still tightly corseted to emphasise their curves.
PREMIÈRES INNOVATIONS
Gamichon decided to open a factory in Romilly-sur-Seine, in the Aube department. He produced the first elastic fabrics, using a knit incorporating vulcanised rubber, which enabled them to be preserved. This new fabric, which could be stretched in two directions, opened up new possibilities not only for manufacturers of orthopaedic devices, but also for innovative corset makers.
PREMIER MEMBRE DE LA FAMILLE KRETZ
Gamichon joined forces with Paul-Maurice Kretz, his nephew. He was the first member of the Kretz family to join the company. At that time, their products were exported as far afield as South America, and they began to win gold and silver medals at major world industrial exhibitions in Paris, London and Milan.
KRETZ TULLE
Jean Kretz, a textile engineer, invented ‘Kretz tulle’, a completely new stretch fabric that would lead, a few years later, to the launch of Chantelle girdles.
NAISSANCE DE CHANTELLE
Claude Kretz used the fabric invented by his father, Jean, to create a girdle. At the same time, Claude rediscovered the name Chantelle, the copyright to which belonged to his grandfather Paul-Maurice. This is how the Chantelle brand was launched, consolidating its reputation with the slogan ‘Chantelle, the girdle that never rides up’.
PREMIER PRIX AU FESTIVAL DU FILM PUBLICITAIRE
Chantelle wins first prize at the Cannes International Advertising Film Festival with her advert for ‘fugue’.
PREMIERS SOUTIENS-GORGE
With the advent of ready-to-wear fashion, Chantelle launched its first bras. Under the leadership of Claude Kretz, Chantelle applied its expertise to these new products and opened a factory in Épernay.
DEFI, PREMIER SOUTIEN-GORGE SANS COUTURES MOULÉ
The ‘Défi’ becomes the first seamless moulded bra on the market, overcoming technical challenges and offering genuine support.
PREMIÈRES BOUTIQUES DARJEELING
With the creation of the Darjeeling brand, the company is expanding its presence through a new distribution channel: specialist chains. For nearly 30 years, the French brand Darjeeling has been committed to women by designing and creating comfortable, durable, inclusive and accessible lingerie. Whatever their body shape, from A to H cup, XS to XXL, whatever their lifestyle and style: all women are celebrated at Darjeeling.
INNOVATION TECHNIQUE
Influenced by the American market, Chantelle launched the first T-shirt bra, ‘Essensia’, and mastered the technical innovation of the T-shirt bra.
NOUVELLE ÈRE
Guillaume Kretz joins his father Patrice Kretz and proceeds to internalise digital activities, creating a new department: the Digital Lab, based in France and Berlin.
INNOVATION SOFTSTRETCH
Chantelle launches its first seamless line adaptable to all body types, the one-size-fits-all ‘Soft Stretch’ collection. Incredibly soft. Incredibly stretchy. SoftStretch is Chantelle's innovative line of one-size-fits-all underwear, designed to adapt to all body types. It is revolutionising the way underwear is worn and enjoying worldwide success.
STUDIO CHANTELLE
The Chantelle Group is launching a new international multi-brand boutique concept: the Chantelle Studio. This concept store, built around a range of products from our various brands, offers a wide variety of products, styles and prices. The environment is designed and created to offer our customers a unique and immersive shopping experience.
COLLECTIONS ÉCOLOGIQUES
We are gradually integrating eco-design into the creation of our collections. For us, this is a step forward that goes beyond our impact on the environment. It involves strategies for innovation and improvement.
CHANTELLE X
Chantelle X is a seductive high-end fashion brand. Going against traditional codes, the brand embodies a bold and creative spirit and a contemporary approach to lingerie. CREATIVE. DISRUPTIVE. ASSERTIVE.
MAILLOTS DE BAIN CHANTELLE PULP
Following the success of SoftStretch, Chantelle is launching the new generation of swimwear: Pulp. Innovative, ultra-stretchy and lightweight, this unique and comfortable fabric feels like a second skin. Available in 7 shapes and 4 colours, Pulp suits all body types. With unlimited comfort and easy-to-choose sizes and prices, the hardest part will be choosing your set.
CHANTELLE PULP
Since 2018, we have been working to restructure the Chantelle brand portfolio, challenging conventional methods of design, representation and thinking about lingerie in order to develop a new vision of beauty and femininity. Today, we are bringing this vision to fruition with the launch of Chantelle Pulp, a highly appealing and dynamic brand that appeals to a wide range of women. With its vitality, youthfulness, boldness and inclusivity thanks to an extended size range, we want to revolutionise the world of lingerie. Emancipatory and dynamic, Chantelle Pulp is for those who dare to shine.
PULPIES
Nude. Or almost. Chantelle launches its new success story: a palette of eight bold, luminous shades with a powdery finish. Pulpies promises an ultra-fine texture and a zero-material effect, for a feeling of lightness all day long! Available in three styles: bikini, tanga and high-waisted, at the modest price of £10. A real must-have to take with you everywhere.