Bras inspired by the Eiffel Tower? Satin corsets custom-made for the Crazy Horse dancers? A small Paris shop is the home of the braserie and one of the most luxurious lingerie labels in the world.
Cadolle started out at the end of the 19th century, during the period that followed the Second Empire in France and is often known as ” La Belle Epoque” or ” The Beautiful Era”.
In 1889 French seamstress Herminie Cadolle packed her bags and leaft for Buenos Aires where she opened a lingerie boutique. A clever business woman, her boutique became the meeting place for the most fashionable women of the country.
During the World Exhibition of 1889 Hermine showed her new invention, the “corselet gorge”, essentially the first bra.
More than a hundred years onwards, not much has changed. Cadolle, now run by the fifth generation and headed by Poupie Cadolle, still sells hand-made, highly crafted couture lingerie. Faithful to the principles of the company, Poupie sees each of her clients herself. It is not unheard of to have to wait a while for an appointment, but like her mother and grandmother before her, she continues to be much-loved by her clients.
Each Cadolle couture product is either produced from the existing collection or is created completely bespoke based on the customer’s ideas and needs. Shapes, fabrics, colours and trimmings can all be completely customized.
If indulgence, craft and tradition are what you are after, it doesn’t get better than this!
