A client comes back in November for the trousers she tried on in September. In most boutiques, they're gone. With us, they're still there. On the other hand, right next to them are twelve pieces she's never seen before.
This is not a contradiction. It is the way we build what we sell.
Two catalogs that coexist
The first is the permanent collection. Blazers, tailored trousers, shirts, and essential fabrics like wrinkle-free crepe, drapery, and Milan stitch jersey. These cuts remain from one season to the next. You can complete a suit six months after starting it, or replace worn-out trousers with the same pair.
The second is the capsule collection. We receive one every week: about ten pieces, in small quantities, based on what is being worn now. They are not restocked. When a size is gone, it's gone.
Why one per week
Because the rhythm of two collections per year no longer corresponds to anything. A piece designed eighteen months before hitting the shelves always arrives a bit late.
Our supplier produces in Italy in short runs, with lead times of a few weeks between design and delivery. This is what makes the weekly cadence possible. It allows us to react to what is actually requested in the fitting room rather than what was planned a year earlier.
The filter
Receiving items every week doesn't mean taking everything. We discard a good portion of what is offered to us based on a single criterion: will this piece still be wearable next winter?
If the answer is no, it doesn't enter our collection, even if it would sell very well for six weeks. That is the difference between following a trend and making a selection.
What remains are current pieces that last beyond their season. This year's leopard print on a brown background will still be wearable in two years; the same print on a neon background, no.
What this changes for you
You can build your wardrobe. Buy a jacket now and its trousers in January, or get the exact same model in a different color. That's impossible in a store that refreshes everything.
You must also accept the opposite. A capsule piece you like will not be there in a month. If you are hesitant, let us know: we will set it aside for a few days, with no obligation.
And if you are looking for something specific that we don't have, we note your request and notify you when a capsule collection brings it in. It happens more often than you'd think, with a delivery every week.
How to know what has just arrived
The new arrivals page is updated with every delivery. Our staple pieces can be found by fabric in our materials, and by use in tailored suits, ceremonial wear, and office attire.
If you prefer that a stylist does the sorting before you arrive, there is Le Portant: you describe the occasion, and she picks from our three boutiques and reserves a selection under your name.