Agnelle

One of France's last seven glove makers, Rare Craft. Lamb, kid and peccary leather, hand-sewn in Saint-Junien. The craftsmanship is real - the origin transparency not always.

Saint-Junien, Haute-Vienne, French capital of glove-making since the Middle Ages. The soft waters of the Vienne and Glane enable leather working. In 1937, Joseph Pourrichou, a stationer, founds a glove workshop he names Agnelle. Subcontracting for American brands and Dames de France chains. Marie-Louise Pourrichou runs the business until 1965. Her daughter Josy Le Royer takes command and initiates the transformation: leaving subcontracting to move upmarket.

In 1970, first collaboration with Christian Dior Couture. Houses follow: Yves Saint Laurent, Lanvin, Longchamp, Calvin Klein, Cacharel, Christian Lacroix, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, more recently Koche and Louis-Gabriel Nouchi. In 1986, Sophie Gregoire, founder's granddaughter, takes over. In 1999, sold to Well Lamont, American leader. In 2001, reversal: Sophie buys back Agnelle, regains independence. EPV in 2006, Rare Craft in 2011.

specialist forums reviews are unanimous: 'Agnelle is what you're looking for' , 'some of the softest leather I've ever felt' (les passionnés on an MM6 collab). The leather is exceptional, the craftsmanship real.

But there's a caveat the brand doesn't highlight. The Philippines workshop, opened in 1988, produces a significant portion of gloves sold under the Agnelle name. A 2014 report by La Fabrique Hexagonale noted no country-of-origin marking inside gloves sold at the factory shop. Staff were 'very embarrassed' by the question. The Saint-Junien workshop exists and works, but also produces extensively as subcontractor for other luxury houses. Product remains excellent. Communication could use more clarity on each model's origin.