It is little surprise that Charles Sébline references artists Bridget Riley and Daniel Buren among his sources of aesthetic inspiration. The half-French, half-English fashion veteran’s eponymous shirt brand features an eye-catching line-up of styles in a smorgasbord of stripes. ‘I should probably be psychoanalysed for my stripe obsession,’ he laughs. ‘I am completely addicted!’
On further examination, Sébline divulges the Anglo-French facets of his 2019-founded shirting label. ‘My first job in fashion was in Yves Saint Laurent’s haute couture atelier in late 1990s’, he says. ‘French craft inspired me to look at a button collar and work out a new way to present it.’ Meanwhile, the inspiration for Sébline’s Breton stripe bib shirt came from the London-born couturier Neil Munro ‘Bunny’ Roger, who established his business in 1937 and also worked for Hardy Amies. ‘He was an extraordinary dandy and a friend of my grandmother,’ Sébline says.
‘I like playing with ease and formality in my designs,’ continues the fashion designer. ‘Trends don’t float my boat: I’m interested in making pieces people want to wear for a long time.’
For those who are enjoying some warm weather and sunshine, Sébline’s insouciantly sophisticated silhouettes make for the ultimate summer staple, whether worn as the sun sets over a sandy beach in St Tropez or simply sported in your own back garden. For if the Covid-19 pandemic has taught us anything about style, it is that eternal silhouettes ring true, and faddish forms are obsolete.
And should you be in the mood for something subtly sporty too – just the thing for pitching up to play pétanque or a competitive game of croquet on the lawn, for example – we recommend you take a look at the label’s gardening stripe boxer short and panelled sports shirt.
You’ll be as stripe obessed as Charles Sébline himself before the summer season is out. §