If you could translate the pink-drenched holiday spirit of the south of France into a clothing line, it would look something like an Octobre edition. Launched in 2016 by Sézane founder Morgan Szélory, the Parisian menswear label has earned global popularity for its charming, earth-toned button-downs, tees and trousers made from luxurious natural fabrics. “Something really good quality, not too expensive, with a modern style, but not too fashionable,” explains Octobre’s brand director Arthur Persson.
Despite not having a particular interest in capital-F fashion, Persson is obsessed with the look, feel and emotional resonance of clothes, a perspective that has shaped Octobre editions over the past decade. “I’m not following the catwalk or the shows or anything, but I’m really engaged with the quality of the fabric, knowing how it’s made, and the story behind the product,” he says. The day before the brand’s Paris Fashion Week presentation, Persson, instead of showing me the racks containing his latest collections, offered to spend the day showing me some of his favorite spots in the city. The result was a great inside tour of Paris, from a lavishly decorated Art Nouveau hotel to one man’s favorite lunch spot.
