In another life, that is to say in 2004, we (Anne et Marie-Christine) set up a small leather goods brand with a friend, whom we met at Nina Ricci, and who had moved to Cairo, Egypt. There she met an extremely talented maker of small leather goods.
We then came up with the idea of making small leather goods that were very classic in terms of functions, and very qualitative in terms of finishes: split, edged, threaded, etc.
At a time when people chose to match their small leather goods to their bag, the idea was to offer a whole bunch of silver containers in very fancy colors and aspects.
The leather was purchased in Spain, notably from Curtidos Badia, supplier of very colorful cowhides with an exceptional feel.
The question then: What were we going to call this brand?
It was obvious that the name had to be about money.
Since we have a decidedly sassy side, we wanted it to be a slightly offbeat name. There was no question of calling it money, flouze or other money, and after several brainstormings, it was Bandit Manchot who came out!
The term comes from slang and refers to the single arm of the slot machine that must be activated in order for the reels to start spinning. The English name is just as explicit: “one armed bandit”.
The success was immediate, and the collection was sold in all the most prestigious Parisian points of sale, but also in Japan and the United States.
In 2004, social networks did not exist and we called on a press officer who was so effective that we had a plethora of publications which made our name known as a player in qualitative and uninhibited small leather goods.
The story lasted for some time. The friend left Cairo and Anne and Marie-Christine turned to new adventures.
During that time, Marie-Laure held the reins of the family leather goods business created in the 1970s in Graulhet, in Tarn. She did a lot of subcontracting there, particularly for Galerie Lafayette. It was within this beautiful brand that all 3 met: Anne and Marie-Christine were drawing. Marie-Laure made. (Good) bonds were forged through working together, and that’s where the story (again) begins!
Because in 2010, we wanted to launch a brand of leather accessories, this time with upcycled leather. This brand would be made in France, in Marie-Laure’s workshop.
We needed a name. He was there, on a set :)
So we reuse leather, but we also know how to reuse names!
“But where does the name One-Armed Bandit come from?”
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