Five generations closely linked to the Lyon silk industry
George Varenne, Philibert's great-grandfather, began his textile career in 1875 at the age of 15 as an employee of the Lyon silk brokerage office. He became sales representative in France, then export manager and traveled all over the world. Here is an excerpt from his diary.
"Although I speak English very poorly, not Indostani at all, I left on November 5, 1885 for Bombay aboard the Nizam to Port Said and aboard the Kaisar-I-Hind from Port Said to Bombay .
When the Kaisar-I-Hind anchored in Bombay harbor and I saw this huge city in front of me with its minarets, palaces and wide avenues, I was deeply moved to think that the next day I would be in the midst of this crowd whose language I did not even know, looking for customers who would like to see the samples that I was going to show them, give me orders for my house which was theirs. totally unknown. "
- George Varenne
Textiles, a family passion
On the strength of these experiences, on June 30, 1890, at the age of 35, he created the company "Alliance Textile" and then Soieries Varenne. Today, Virginie and Philibert continue this story and make it grow. Manufacturers of clothing fabrics, scarves and handkerchiefs for Parisian and international couture brands, they took over the management of the Maison des Canuts in 2004.
After having renovated this Mecca of interpretation of Lyon's heritage, woven on handlooms of exceptional silks for European châteaux, a new adventure begins. Joined by their daughter Sixtine, they give birth to a new label, an expression of Lyon excellence: Philéone.
A collection for elegant humanists
Philéone is the signature of a collection of fashion accessories aimed at refined humanist women and men. The people who wear Philéone are beings sensitive to creation, appreciating the quality of a job well done and vigilant in their textile consumption. They look for stylish products at reasonable prices and care about the environmental impact of their purchases.
The Philéone collections see the light of day at the Croix Rousse and are imbued with the values of this territory: humanity, curiosity, freedom, nourished by encounters, readings, diversity and inventions.
Weaving, knitting, printing, dyeing, finishing and making are carried out in France and more particularly in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region.