Kiplay Vintage

Workwear made in Saint-Pierre d’Entremont, Normandy since 1921. A stubborn refusal to offshore. When the rest of the industry moved to Asia, Kiplay stayed in the same village. The Vintage line revives workwear classics from family archives, crafted in the original workshops.

October 29, 1921, Saint-Pierre d’Entremont, Normandy. Marcel Letard, son of a clog maker, marries Emilie Degasne, daughter of a fabric merchant. Together, they breathe new life into the family business. In 1932, Marcel registers the 'Kiplay' trademark - a clever play on 'qui plait' (what pleases). The company surged during WWII, producing uniforms, parachutes for the Allies, and gas masks, employing up to 900 people. Post-war, production stabilized around 350 staff, focusing on pure, robust, and unpretentious workwear. As the French textile industry faced a massive decline and widespread offshoring to Asia, Kiplay stood its ground. They refused to leave Saint-Pierre d’Entremont. The Pradal family, succeeding through marriage, kept the course steady. Today, CEO Marc Pradal and his wife Corinne manage the heritage. In 2016, fourth-generation Clement Pradal launched Kiplay Vintage with designer Christian Legier. They delved into the 1940s-1970s family archives to revive authentic cuts, fabrics, and models using original machines. Kiplay is the only French company producing its jeans entirely internally. Labeled an Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV), they celebrated their centenary in 2021. Four generations, one workshop, and a steadfast commitment to Norman craftsmanship.