Design Counts – ‘that’ Breton Top

How ironic perhaps that one of my most publicised designs is one so simple.

It might be said that it looks like any other striped T-shirt but behind the scenes as with any design that makes into any collection there’s a story to tell behind this particular one for Client ME+EM , and the design details that can be passed over if not explained. Here are a few..

1. A slash neckline only suits certain people and there was a lot of convincing to be done before that neckline was approved.
2. It’s got little ruches at the waist- that creates a flattering movement at the waist.
3. I made it ever so slightly longer so that it does not pull up when you are moving around.
4. The slight envelope neck bindings give that little French touch.
5. The fit- has to be not restrict but have a perfect armhole.
6. The exact stripe design took hours of deliberation and trials- eventually we found a vintage sample which did the trick.
7. The jersey fabric – the hand feel weight and construction- whether to do plain jersey or 1×1 rib stitch. For those know don’t know that terminology: the difference is in the hand feel and we opted for the latter as its softer.
8. Optic white or natural white, cobalt or navy? Questions and colour conundrums can take days and weeks in a design led business.
9. Then the name? I christened it the “Breton” as I’ve always loved J.P.Gaultier’s signature striped T’s so hence was born – the famous ME+EM Breton Top which has launched the brand and will continue attracting customers for years to come.

So there you have it- even with a seemingly simple stripe T shirt , design counts.