A ARNYS PARIS Forestière Jacket, dating to approximately the 2000s.
A truly exceptional arrival.
ARNYS PARIS was founded in 1933 when Jankel Grumberg, a Ukrainian-Jewish merchant, established his atelier at 14 Rue de Sèvres on the Left Bank of Paris.
Once referred to as 'Arnys on the Left Bank, Hermès on the Right,' it stood as the preeminent maison of the Seine's Left Bank.
Where the Right Bank embodied aristocratic conservatism, the Left Bank represented populist innovation and artistic sensibility.
Arnys distinguished itself by bringing an original interpretation to French tailoring traditions and classical menswear.
Through refined design and exquisite materials, it articulated a distinctive French elegance.
While respecting the fundamental structure of classic business wear, subtle refinements—in pocket placement, jacket proportions—created a striking silhouette of remarkable slenderness.
Ranked alongside Hermès, its tailoring was uniformly of the highest order.
The house was meticulous enough to commission different factories for different pieces, reflecting an uncompromising dedication to craftsmanship evident across every item.
In 2012, LVMH acquired the house, and it subsequently disappeared.
The trademark was later sold to Berluti, leaving Arnys as little more than historical memory.
Arnys occupied a vital position in French menswear, renowned for its singular design and superior construction.
Its closure marked the end of an era in Parisian fashion.
From this storied house comes perhaps its most sought piece: the Forestière Jacket, a timeless classic.
The Forestière—Arnys' casual standard—originated in 1947 with a special commission for Le Corbusier, the legendary modernist architect.
Corbusier sought a jacket that would not bind when raising his arm to sketch on blackboards or drawing boards—something both comfortable and elegant.
Inspired by the hunting jacket worn by gamekeeper Gaston Modot in the 1939 French film La Règle du Jeu, Corbusier commissioned Léon Grumberg, Arnys' second-generation proprietor, to craft this silhouette.
The Forestière was thus conceived for freedom of movement: sleeves retain a consistent width, echoing the kimono; shoulders remain unstructured and unlined.
Corbusier's original commission featured black corduroy with black silk lining—a palette reflecting the architect's philosophical preference for noir, embodied in his personal aesthetic.
Corbusier maintained rigorous control of his archive, and the scarcity of photographs documenting him wearing the Forestière appears deliberate—a calculated preservation of his intellectualized image.
By the 1950s, the Forestière entered Arnys' ready-to-wear collection, immediately becoming synonymous with the house itself.
Front buttons bear the marbled ARNYS-PARIS insignia characteristic of the house.
The refinement lavished upon a single button speaks to a sensibility perhaps unique to Arnys.
The interior carries the Forestière's distinctive label.
This example employs 100% cotton, a natural fiber that develops character and patina gracefully with wear.
The fabric's weight suggests year-round wearability—a single piece for all seasons.
High-density cotton poplin provides a lightness and fluidity of drape.
Exceptional breathability and a finely-woven surface deliver an understated refinement, an impression of quiet cultivation.
The colorway is a versatile light beige—fundamentally practical.
A neutral, composed tone, it integrates seamlessly across styles and seasons, proving itself the most capable foundation.
While Arnys' more distinctive colorways possess undeniable allure, I would argue that a neutral palette serves as the truest introduction to the house's vision.
Refined design, impeccable tailoring, noble materials, considered proportion.
This synthesis yields a piece worthy of the term "lifetime garment." For those seeking an enduring wardrobe cornerstone untouched by seasonal fashion, this merits serious consideration.
It elevates the wearer's presence while possessing a chameleon-like adaptability to any combination, all while maintaining its own quiet authority.
For those in pursuit of classicism that transcends time, this is offered without reservation.
Arnys pieces frequently appear in Italian production, yet this example is notably French-made—a distinction of considerable value for those who regard provenance with seriousness.
An appealing detail for the discerning collector.
Size marked as 54—approximately XL in contemporary sizing.
The actual measurements indicate a generous cut, accommodating larger frames without complication.
Period catalogs show the piece worn with dropped shoulders and deliberate ease, suggesting that smaller frames will equally find it wearable.
Evidence of wear is present, though no significant damage compromises its functionality. It remains entirely capable of being worn.
ARNYS PARIS—a house that has vanished—appears with extreme rarity across the secondary market, regardless of era or model.
The opportunity to possess a supreme example from this legendary maison should not be taken lightly.
The Forestière, in particular, achieves the status of a true rarity—a piece genuinely worthy of the phrase "lifetime garment."
This is not something one simply purchases with sufficient funds. Future availability cannot be assured.
Whether as a wardrobe cornerstone, a collector's object, or a source of design inspiration, this piece lacks nothing.
The Forestière has received renewed attention in recent publications, and considering the house no longer exists, its trajectory in value seems assured to ascend. Should you be seeking such a piece, this moment warrants prompt consideration.
